ANGELES CITY – Don’t let your hard- earned money taken by syndicates who use cellphone text messages and calls.
The city government and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) issued the warning as “the Christmas season is just around the corner and the inflow of remittances from abroad expected to spike.”
Deo Sambilay, assistant City Information Officer (CIO) and Smart, disclosed that the public should be vigilant against fraudulent texts or calls that ask for “emergency money.”
Syndicates usually target families or relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or those who receive regular remittances from abroad, Smart said in a statement.
Sambilay, for his part, said Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan had specific instruction which is to “constantly provide useful information and warnings against the people.”
Senders of hoax texts usually claim to be family members, relatives or friends of family members and relatives, Smart said.
“They would pretend to be a family member or a relative, and ask victims to deposit a certain amount of money to various banks or Smart Money accounts. The money is supposed to help them during an emergency situation, such as escaping from a cruel employer by buying a ticket to go home, or money for immediate medical attention, or treatment for an accident,” said Smart Public Affairs Group head Ramon R. Isberto.
“Since the initial reaction is almost always to help, fraud victims send money immediately, without confirming the facts with their family member or relative first. When they realize they’ve been victimized by a scam, it’s too late,” he added.
To avoid this, text messages or calls from unknown cellphone numbers should be double-checked and confirmed, added Isberto.
He said the public should also be wary of “friendly” inquiries by new acquaintances about family members, home situations, and details about an OFW relative or family member’s employment abroad.
“The first step for the gang is ‘getting to know you’. With the information they gather, they plot how to dupe victims. Then the syndicate calls or texts a family member and pretends to be any of the following – a manning agency (for seafarers), a Philippine consul or embassy staff, or a colleague of the OFW,” said Isberto.
Then the syndicates will present various scenarios that supposedly happened to OFWs – conflict with bosses that led to physical injuries or being sent to jail; losing a cellphone or changing the mobile number and trying the prepaid load business for extra income, among others, he said.
“Then they will ask for money to be deposited to bank or Smart Money or other remittance accounts,” he added.
“As we said in our previous advisories, we urge our subscribers to be wary text messages or calls from unknown cellphone numbers that ask for load or money, or even promise rewards. Always confirm first with those you personally know before sending money,” said Isberto.
The city government and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) issued the warning as “the Christmas season is just around the corner and the inflow of remittances from abroad expected to spike.”
Deo Sambilay, assistant City Information Officer (CIO) and Smart, disclosed that the public should be vigilant against fraudulent texts or calls that ask for “emergency money.”
Syndicates usually target families or relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or those who receive regular remittances from abroad, Smart said in a statement.
Sambilay, for his part, said Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan had specific instruction which is to “constantly provide useful information and warnings against the people.”
Senders of hoax texts usually claim to be family members, relatives or friends of family members and relatives, Smart said.
“They would pretend to be a family member or a relative, and ask victims to deposit a certain amount of money to various banks or Smart Money accounts. The money is supposed to help them during an emergency situation, such as escaping from a cruel employer by buying a ticket to go home, or money for immediate medical attention, or treatment for an accident,” said Smart Public Affairs Group head Ramon R. Isberto.
“Since the initial reaction is almost always to help, fraud victims send money immediately, without confirming the facts with their family member or relative first. When they realize they’ve been victimized by a scam, it’s too late,” he added.
To avoid this, text messages or calls from unknown cellphone numbers should be double-checked and confirmed, added Isberto.
He said the public should also be wary of “friendly” inquiries by new acquaintances about family members, home situations, and details about an OFW relative or family member’s employment abroad.
“The first step for the gang is ‘getting to know you’. With the information they gather, they plot how to dupe victims. Then the syndicate calls or texts a family member and pretends to be any of the following – a manning agency (for seafarers), a Philippine consul or embassy staff, or a colleague of the OFW,” said Isberto.
Then the syndicates will present various scenarios that supposedly happened to OFWs – conflict with bosses that led to physical injuries or being sent to jail; losing a cellphone or changing the mobile number and trying the prepaid load business for extra income, among others, he said.
“Then they will ask for money to be deposited to bank or Smart Money or other remittance accounts,” he added.
“As we said in our previous advisories, we urge our subscribers to be wary text messages or calls from unknown cellphone numbers that ask for load or money, or even promise rewards. Always confirm first with those you personally know before sending money,” said Isberto.
