Amid
challenging times, the incidence of getting easy money even through illegal
means becomes attractive. Globe issues this warning for customers to stay
vigilant and raise awareness on how to protect one's data to prevent being
victims of fraud.
A modus
called “SIM swap scam” is the last step carried out by scammers, in order to
take over an individual’s financial accounts -- bank account details, trading
information, e-wallet and/or credit cards.
This
modus often involves a victim who’s been long targeted for the scam. The fraudster has invested time to gather
bank account details, email addresses, online credentials, personal facts and
identification together with the mobile number registered with the bank for
sending a one-time password (OTP). The
last leg will be to take over the SIM of the mobile number registered for the
OTP sending.
Globe
urged its customers to use strong and unique passwords for their digital
accounts, change it regularly, and use other authentication methods such as
security keys, applications, or device prompts.
Globe
advises its customers not to share personal information such as birth dates,
anniversary dates, TIN, school or company ID, passport details and other
information on social media, as these may compromise a customer’s safety. Scammers and fraudsters may get the answer to
your security questions from these details.
Scammers
may also call pretending to be telco or bank representatives requiring some
personal information and bank details in exchange for some offers or
perks. Bank statements, utility bills,
delivery packages, and other documents that contain one’s personal information
disposed of in an unsecured manner can also be a source of identity theft.
Here
are the indications one may have been victimized by a SIM swap scam. There is a
sudden loss of mobile signal. Notifications of so-called log-in attempts or
activities are also received via email which the victim did not perform.
Here’s
what you can do if a SIM swap occurs:
●
Immediately change password/PIN of bank and
digital accounts
●
Monitor digital and financial accounts
●
Call Globe (211) or visit the nearest Globe
Store to temporarily deactivate the line
●
Inform the concerned bank about the
incident and report to concerned authorities
Globe
Postpaid users may go to the new GlobeOne app under “Account Requests” or call
211 to request temporary line disconnection.
Both postpaid and prepaid customers may go to the nearest Globe Store to
recover their mobile number and get a SIM replacement.
Globe
is also implementing stricter measures to prevent unauthorized SIM change. For replacement of lost SIM, this includes
24-hour SIM reactivation to allow a stronger customer verification. Also, a notarized affidavit of loss is
mandatory patterned with the banks which require the same document when
replacing lost cards and other financial records.
To
know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.