Globe calls for better ‘threat intelligence sharing’ against scam messages

Globe has announced that it is working with the government in making better efforts to eliminate scam and spam messages, and calls for better “threat intelligence sharing” with industry stakeholders.

Speaking at a meeting with industry players including telcos, banks, and online retail platforms with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday, Globe said that it is ready to collaborate with other stakeholders to help protect Filipino customers from smishing and other fraudulent activities.

Smishing occurs through mobile text messaging in which scammers deceive victims into giving their personal data. Scammers then use this data to take over a victim’s financial accounts.

Globe is partnering with major universal and commercial banks, as well as e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee, to help minimize spam, scams, and phishing activities by allowing partner companies to report fake numbers, spoofed sender names, and websites for immediate blocking in the network.

Globe terminates and blocks numbers of detected spammers through its systems, including those reported through www.globe.com.ph/stopspam. The telco’s dedicated cybersecurity team has deactivated 5,670 confirmed spam numbers and successfully blocked close to 1 billion spam messages so far this year.

Globe will also comply with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) order to warn customers on dubious text messages.

A text blast will be sent to customers:

“BABALA! Huwag maniwala sa text na diumanoy nag-aalok ng trabaho. Huwag po magbigay ng personal na impormasyon. Ito po ay isang scam.”

Globe reminds customers not to respond to text messages received involving promos, job offers, and other unsolicited products and services.

“At the end of the day, we need to move very swiftly in preventing fraudulent attacks from reaching our customers, and we know we cannot do it alone. We need to improve private sector partnerships on top of what has already been a robust public sector enablement through the National Privacy Commission. Strength in numbers is key,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer.