Globe warns against criminals using SIM registration law to scam public

Leading digital solutions platform Globe warns the public against unscrupulous groups and individuals who are taking advantage of the SIM registration law to scam people.

“We have received reports that there are groups and individuals taking advantage of the new law by sending misleading text messages to unsuspecting mobile phone users.  We would like to remind our customers to ignore these messages and report them to our Stop Spam website,” said  Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

 

Bonifacio said text messages informing users that their SIMs have been deactivated are just a ploy to get their personal information and hard-earned money. The SIM Registration law has yet to take full effect as its implementing rules and regulations are still being finalized.

 

All Globe and TM customers will be duly informed once the IRR is in place.

 

Republic Act 11934, or the SIM Registration Act, was signed into law on October 10, 2022 and aims to provide accountability for those using SIM cards and aid law enforcement in tracking perpetrators of crimes committed through mobile phones.

 

The move is expected to boost government initiatives against fraud perpetrated through text and online messages, which have become more prevalent in recent years.

 

Under the law, users can only activate their new SIMs by registering with their provider. Existing subscribers, meanwhile, must register within 180 days from the start of the law’s implementation or risk having their SIM deactivated. 

 

Latest data show that Globe blocked more than 32.2 million scam and spam text messages in just two weeks after implementing measures to block uniform resource locators (URLs) in person-to-person text messages.

 

From September 28 to October 13 this year, it blocked about 2.4 million SMS with clickable links daily. From January to September 2022, meanwhile, it blocked 1.3 billion spam and scam messages, already exceeding the 2021 full year total of 1.1 billion.

 

To date, Globe has spent P1.1 billion on a system that detects and blocks spam and scam SMS. Its 24/7 Security Operations Center filters unwanted messages, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS of international and domestic sources.

 

Globe continues to encourage its customers using Android devices to install spam filters on their phones. Learn how through this instructional video.

 

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Globe welcomes release of IRR for RA 11934, sees massive deployment for 87.9-M SIM users

Globe, the leader in Mobile, welcomes the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Registration Act for standard enforcement of the law.

 

The IRR, crafted by the National Telecommunications Commission in consultation with the telco industry, has also gone through public hearing.  It is expected to lay down the SIM registration procedure and guidelines that all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) must follow in creating their respective registration platforms. The IRR is expected to take effect on December 27, 2022. 

 

In compliance with the law, Globe will launch its online SIM registration platform and start selling new SIMs in deactivated mode. All new SIMs must be registered immediately to enjoy Globe services, while existing SIMs should be registered within 180 days or six months from the effectivity of the law. 

 

There are an estimated 87.9 million SIM users under the Globe network. 

 

“Globe is proud to be part of the technical working group that crafted the IRR, which we hope will pave the way for an orderly and timely SIM registration for all SIM users. We will continue our close collaboration with the government to ensure full implementation of the SIM Registration Act to achieve our shared goal of stopping cybercrime, including SIM-aided fraud,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu. 

 

“Our goal is to have a SIM registration process that is seamless, secure, inclusive and convenient for our customers,” he said. Cualso mentioned that Globe has existing customers who are currently not using smartphones and may not be digital savvy.  Globe shall put in place a special assistance process for these customers so they can go through the registration as well. 

 

The passage of the SIM Registration Act is a significant step forward in fighting fraudsters who have been taking advantage of SIM use anonymity in their illicit activities. 

 

This measure complements Globe’s long-standing fraud protection efforts, including investments in filtering systems, proactive blocking of scam and spam SMS, and data sharing partnerships with banks and other financial institutions.

 

Globe will release more information about its SIM registration platform and procedure on its official channels in the next coming days. 

 

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Globe, SM Advantage Card (SMAC) #UniteVsHunger, join hands for the Hapag Movement

 

We would like to share this milestone for the Hapag Movement, Globe's sustainability and social responsibility program that aims to provide support for vulnerable families through hunger alleviation and sustainable livelihood programs

With every purchase of a SMAC card and every checkout, shoppers can now help support a family in need. 

 

Leading digital solutions platform Globe and SM Advantage Card (SMAC), the loyalty card of retail giant SM, have come together to help put meals on the table of those in need through the Hapag Movement, Globe’s technology-driven program against involuntary hunger. 

 

“We are excited to partner with SMAC at the most joyful time of the year so we can bring cheer to our fellow Filipinos who continue to suffer due to involuntary hunger. Now, it’s easier for shoppers to share their blessings to the needy, bring food to the table, and get assistance for decent livelihood as we mark this Christmas season post-pandemic,” said Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer YolyCrisanto.

 

“Our collaboration with Globe for the Hapag Movement is apioneering partnership for us as it aligns with the SM brand’s goal of providing support to Filipinos every way we can. This is the time for us to rally behind this cause to help those who continue to reel from the impact of the pandemic and challenges due to rising living costs. Ibalik natin ang sarap ng Pasko,” said Jay Beltran, SMAC SAVP Head of Sales and Marketing.

 

Through the partnership, P50.00 will be donated to the HapagMovement and other SM Foundation programs for every purchase of a new SMAC card. 

 

On top of this, SMAC members who will shop select items at the SM Store, SM Beauty, SM Appliance, Kultura, Surplus, Our Home, Baby Company, Crate and Barrel, Levi's, The Body Shop, Forever21, Ecco, and Miniso will earn up to 1,000 EXTRA SMAC Points, and half of the EXTRA points they earn will be donated to the movement starting December 15, 2022 until January 15, 2023, in time for this season of giving.

 

“We celebrate the season of giving with our SMAC members with the gift of giving— letting them share blessings with our most vulnerable kababayans,” Beltran said. 

 

Globe’s Hapag Movement leverages on technology and collaboration to help 100,000 families experiencing involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood support. 

 

Globe initiated the program to help Filipinos severely affected by the pandemic, with its effects still felt until today.  An estimated 2.9 million individuals reported suffering from involuntary hunger as of October this year, largely unchanged from the quarter before, according to a Social Weather Stations Survey.

 

To learn more about the Hapag Movement, visit its official page. You may also visit smac.ph or download the SMAC app to know more. 

Please also check out these links:

https://youtu.be/cPp22BXxvBQ

https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=648344157039919&_rdc=1&_rdr

 

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For more information, please contact: 

 

Yoly C. Crisanto

Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer

Globe Group

Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph 

Globe Press Room: https:/ www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom.html 

Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: http:/ www.facebook.com/globeph