CICC warns of new wave of text scams

Be on the lookout for a new wave of text scams, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned.

In Chino Gaston’s report on 24 Oras on Thursday, the CICC said a syndicate or syndicates may be behind the scams, which include "warnings" that your card is being used, or fake messages from the MMDA.

In one scam, the text message contains a link and once it is clicked, the syndicate may acquire the victim’s name, bank or credit card number account number, and other personal details.

"A-advise-an ka since you did not make these purchases, I will send you a code and you send this code to this cellphone number. Doon ka mahuhuli 'yung cellphone na 'yung unregistered and yet it is receiving data. If you have the number of your account manager, tawag niyo agad before talking to strangers," CICC executive director Alexander Ramos said.

(The text message will advise you that since you did not make any purchases, it will send you a code and you will forward it to another number. That is when we know that the number is unregistered. Call your account manager before talking to strangers.)

Scammers do not only operate through text, as Henry (not his real name) found out by being scammed through email.

Henry’s acquaintance said the owner of the email address could fix his problem with his digital wallet since he is an employee of the digital wallet company.

"Noong inaayos nila, sabi nila, 'wait lang sir, may darating na OTP [one-time password] sa inyo.' Noong dumating ang OTP, pakibigay daw sa kanya. Hindi naman ako nag-ano...alam ko sa email, kung makikita niyo talaga 'yung email address niya, talagang totoo," Henry said.

"Napakagaling mag-ingles. Hindi niya daw ma-process ito kung hindi ko ibibigay 'yung OTP, 'yung four- digit number. Maya-maya, nakita kong pinambayad niya na," he added.

(When they were fixing it, they said I will receive an OTP and I that should give it to him. I did not doubt him since the email looked legit. The English was also good. He said he cannot process it without the four-digit OPT. Then, I just saw my digital wallet was used.)

Another surfacing text scam involves receiving text messages from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on traffic violations under the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP).

The MMDA clarified that the NCAP has been suspended since 2022 and that the messages were not from them.

“On the part of the individual victim, siyempre naninwala siya. He will be victim of some amount. Of course on the part of the MMDA, na-drag pangalan namin,” said MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana.

(On the part of the individual victim, he will believe it. He will be a victim of some amount. Of course on the part of the MMDA, our name was dragged.)

The MMDA has asked help from the Philippine National Police and the CICC to capture the group behind the text scams.

“Meron kaming mga tinitingnan na number hindi namin pwede idisclose. Hindi tayo papayag ang bagong modus na ito ay biktimahin ang mga kababayan natin,” said Police Colonel Michelle Sabino, chief of the Eastern Police Anti-Cybercrime Team.

(We are investigating some numbers that we cannot disclose. We will not let this new scam victimize our countrymen.)

CICC advised the public not to post photos of their IDs, bank accounts, credit cards, and billing statements on social media or the internet.

It added that the public should consult with their bank manager should they have any problem with their bank accounts, and not to share details of their digital wallet it bank accounts with strangers. — Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News