Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) warns the public that scammers use ‘fake cell towers’ to send text scams to mobile users, and even use ‘Smart’ as the sender name. Smart adds that these devices are able to lock on to mobile phones within a specified radius, enabling the scammers to push messages directly to subscribers’ devices without having to go through its network.

“Our investigation did not find any evidence that these malicious text messages passed through our network. The illegal ‘cell site simulators’ can also spoof or mimic mobile numbers to deceive subscribers into thinking that they’re receiving legitimate text messages,” said Cathy Yang, FVP and Group Head of Corporate Communications, PLDT and Smart.

While cell site simulators are typically used in disaster-stricken areas as temporary emergency communication platforms, Smart says there is a need for government oversight on the legitimate use of these devices. Smart is working with the government to regulate the use and importation of these types of illegal devices. Smart has also engaged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) for collaborative efforts to fight SMShing and other similar fraudulent activities that include the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of scammers.