Globe issues warning to customers against SIM swap scam

Globe issues a warning to customers against SIM swap scam. The telco advises customers to stay vigilant and they also 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.

In addition, the telco urged its customers to use strong and unique passwords for their digital accounts, change them regularly, and use other authentication methods such as security keys, applications, or device prompts. Globe also 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. The company also noted that scammers and fraudsters may get the answer to your security questions from these details.

Moreover, 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.

The indications one may have been victimized by a SIM swap scam include sudden loss of mobile signal and 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.