In a bid to tackle fraudulent activities, Globe Telecom Inc. has initiated a comprehensive identity verification process for all its subscribers, targeting the SIM cards linked to malicious activities.
Acknowledging the persistence of spam messages despite SIM card registration, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer, Anton Bonifacio, revealed plans for an internal assessment to identify and neutralize bad actors within the network. This initiative involves verifying the identities of over 61 million customers.
Bonifacio highlighted the challenge of criminals using false identities to register SIM cards and the existence of a black market for legitimate SIM cards repurposed for illicit activities.
Globe aims to thwart scams, even those involving legitimate SIM cards used to extract sensitive information like bank details.
Concerns about the market for selling or loaning legitimately registered SIMs for criminal use prompted Globe to enhance its SIM registration platform. The telco is cautious about the potential misuse of both black market-acquired SIMs and legitimate ones acting as conduits in criminal activities.
Despite the regulatory mandate for SIM registration, spam texts doubled in 2023, prompting Globe to block 5.48 billion messages, showcasing the adaptability of scammers. The telco is actively improving its SIM registration platform, now capable of verifying personal data within 24 hours.
In 2023, Globe blacklisted 220,669 SIM cards, primarily from competitor networks, due to their involvement in spam text distribution. The telco encourages customer participation in reporting unsolicited texts through its anti-fraud system, StopSpam.
Find out more how to report below:
- #StopSPAM – Report Scams or Spam Messages – Globe
- How to Report a Cybercrime to PNP-ACG (manilashaker.com)
As Globe takes strides to fortify its network against fraudulent activities, can enhanced identity verification effectively curb the rise of mobile scams?
