Fraudsters can use your
cellphone information to illegally transfer bank funds.
According to Globe
post-paid subscriber Ian Caballero, he lost P48,000 in his online bank account
when a scammer used the telco's “SIM-swap” promotion where an existing SIM card
is replaced with a new one. The replacement allowed the scammer to take over his
mobile number and use it for fraudulent activities.
Caballero said he called
the Globe customer service hotline last July 2 after his phone suddenly went
dead. The customer service agent told him that somebody had just requested to
have his SIM card replaced.
Investigation by Globe
Telecom revealed that Caballero’s case was a “targeted attack” since the
scammer went to a Globe store, pretended to be Caballero and submitted complete
documents, including an authorization letter, the SSS ID and driver's license
of Caballero to request for a SIM change. The telco clarified, however, that
the replacement of SIM cards is not fraudulent in itself.
Acting on Caballero's
complaint, Globe said it is pursuing its campaign against all types of fraud
that can put the company’s name in a bad light and negatively affect legitimate
Globe customers.
As part of its security
enhancement program, Globe said it has installed the most-advanced CCTV cameras
in all its stores nationwide. CCTV recordings will be used to present evidence
in police investigations and legal prosecution against fraudulent activities
such as identity theft where impostors steal personal information and assume
the identity of other people for personal gain.
For its part, a leading
bank has also issued a warning to its customers against sharing “sensitive
details” on social media accounts amid recent reports of attempts by scammers
to illegally transfer funds via mobile phones.
“These scams occur outside the scope of the
bank’s already stringent online security, hence, we continue to encourage our
clients and the general public to be extra vigilant in protecting their
personal information,” the bank said. The bank also advised its customers to
immediately change their online banking password and report incidents of a
possible data breach.
Scam artists are always
on the prowl to make the unsuspecting and the unwary part with their
hard-earned money. You shouldn't fall prey to their schemes.
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