Smart Deters Scammers With Tougher SIM Registration Platform

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has implemented tighter verification measures and employed more advanced technology in its SIM registration controls to clamp down on fraudulent users. Smart has particularly zeroed in on fake IDs and photos being used in the registration process.

“Smart assures our customers that we are continuously enhancing our network infrastructure to reject fraudulent SIM registration as we intensify our efforts against mobile technology-aided criminal activities,” said Atty. Roy Ibay, VP and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Smart.

Since December 2023, in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s directive, Smart has rolled out enhanced verification mechanisms, including the adoption of “live selfie” and liveness checks, disabling of the upload of stock selfies, and verification of registrations before activation.

At the recent hearing of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) lauded Smart’s boosted cybersecurity tools after its SIM registration platform successfully blocked attempts by investigators to register using fake IDs.

“Mas maganda ho ang security ng Smart kasi hindi ho tinatanggap ang mga ganoon... In fact, ang system nila nagre-require ng may movement ng mata. Mas secure ho yung Smart (Smart’s security is better because it rejects them… In fact, the system requires eye movements. Smart is more secure),” said NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Atty. Jeremy Lotoc.

Complementing the improved SIM registration controls is Smart’s new network firewall that blocks malicious links often found in unsolicited text messages. For August alone, it has prevented almost 200 million SMShing messages from reaching customers. So far, Smart has also blocked more than 770,000 mobile numbers tied to phishing and other illegal activities in the first seven months of the year.

“Smart fully supports the government’s efforts to protect Filipinos from being scammed. We actively collaborate with relevant agencies, our peers, and partners in the industry, as well as our customers in fighting fraud and other phishing activities,” added Atty. Ibay of Smart.

PLDT and Smart have also engaged their provincial distributors, regional dealers, and other trade partners to ensure the security and integrity of the sale and distribution process of Smart SIMs. Likewise, the group’s #BeCyberSmart and #MagingCyberSmart campaign continues to share practical tips on identifying techniques used by scammers to run their fraudulent activities.

If you receive suspicious messages or calls, please report them to cybersecurityincidents@smart.com.ph and cybersecurityincidents@pldt.com.ph or to Smart’s verified and official social media pages - Smart Communications on Facebook and @SmartCares on X - or call our hotline *888.