The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) continued to warn the public on the spate of text scams making use of so-called “PASALOAD” schemes. The scam can victimize both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers. Recent reports show an increase in “PASALOAD” scams among post-paid subscribers.
The NTC told the public to be extra vigilant in checking the numbers where their text messages originate. “PASALOAD” scams come from 11-digit numbers asking a subscriber to avail of a “rebate”, “discount”, “refund”, “prize”, or to aid “stranded relatives abroad” and other fraudulent claims.
Subscribers should refrain from responding to such text messages and report the scammers’ mobile numbers to the telcos or NTC for blocking/deactivation.
Since the “PASALOAD” mechanics of Globe and Smart are different, the NTC reiterated the telcos’ public advisories on the scam:
GLOBE TELECOM ADVISORY
For GLOBE, “PASALOAD” scam will come from an 11-digit number. This number will then ask a subscriber to send an amount to 2 + (another 10 digit mobile number) for either a “discount”, “refund”, “prize”, or to aid “stranded relatives abroad”, and other fraudulent claims.
SMART COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY
For SMART, “PASALOAD” scam will come from an 11-digit number. This number will then ask a subscriber to type in its usual PASALOAD Syntax (11-digit number + 3 digits and send to 808) for fraudulent claims i.e. rebates.
For SUN, “PASALOAD” scam will come from an 11-digit number. This number will then ask a subscriber to type two digits plus another sun cellular number and send to 2292 for fraudulent claims i.e. increased credit limit.
If you receive a “PASALOAD” text scam, please report the message sender’s number to the following: GLOBE [mobile: 211; landline: (02)730-1000], SMART [mobile:*888; landline: (02)888-1111] and SUN [mobile: 200; landline (02)395-8000].
The NTC’s Consumer Welfare and Protection Division accepts complaints on “PASALOAD” scams. It may be reached at (02)921-3251/(02)926-7722/(02)920-4464 or thru e-mail at [email protected].
The NTC will then mandate the telcos to block/deactivate the mobile number sending out the “PASALOAD” scam message and the number to which the load was sent to.
Source: NTC PIO
