PLDT blocks over 500 M smishing tries

Telecommunications leader PLDT Inc. blocked more than half a billion smishing messages in the first five months of the year, tightening its security measures to save subscribers from falling victim to digital fraud.

- ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

PLDT, together with its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., is beefing up its cybersecurity protocols to block messaging scams and unmask the masterminds behind them.

From January to May, Smart blacklisted over 100,000 subscriber identity modules or SIMs that were found involved in the production and distribution of text scams within its network.

Smart is also building up its partnership with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to strengthen its efforts in going after cybercriminals.

In particular, Smart wants to bring down what the telco industry calls scam hubs, where most fraudulent activities come from.