In a proactive effort to address the root of spoofing, Globe has launched a collaborative initiative with law enforcement agencies to stop the importation of devices used in this fraudulent activity.
Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel, emphasized the importance of strengthening enforcement to prevent spoofing incidents. Spoofing involves fraudsters sending malicious texts to SIMs in a targeted area, masquerading as legitimate sender IDs, using devices called international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers. These portable devices, often imported as complete units or in parts for local assembly, facilitate illegal activities. IMSI catchers can force SIMs to revert to 2G, making phones susceptible to receiving malicious SMS from seemingly legitimate sources.
“We are collaborating with the government to prevent the importation and use of IMSI catchers, which are key tools in these security breaches. Stronger enforcement of laws against spoofing and the spread of this illegal equipment is essential,” Castelo noted.
Rising Incidents and Legal Measures
The need for swift action is clear, given the increasing number of spoofing incidents where fraudsters mimic trusted sender IDs, complicating detection for mobile users.
The rise in spoofing reports coincides with Globe's enhanced measures against scam and spam SMS, including blocking person-to-person SMS with links and regulating app-to-person SMS with URLs. Globe has also eliminated clickable links in its official customer advisories to help users more easily identify legitimate messages.
Public Vigilance and Digital Security Education
Globe encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious messages to their service provider. The company underscores the importance of following best practices for digital security, such as avoiding links from unknown sources and not sharing personal information via SMS. Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer, advises customers to be wary of unsolicited messages offering deals that seem too good to be true and to avoid clicking on unverified SMS links.
Beyond combatting spoofing, Globe is dedicated to educating its customers on safeguarding themselves from various forms of digital fraud. The company’s comprehensive public awareness campaigns aim to equip individuals with the knowledge to recognize and respond appropriately to potential threats.
By working closely with law enforcement and focusing on public education, Globe aims to create a safer digital environment for its users, reducing the impact of spoofing and other fraudulent activities.
