Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) blocked more than 955 million scam and phishing text messages in the first quarter of 2026, stepping up its defenses against mobile-based fraud that continues to target users in the Philippines.
Smart also blacklisted nearly 200,000 mobile numbers linked to fraudulent activity, cutting off access to its network as part of ongoing efforts to reduce text scams and phishing attempts.
“Scammers are exploiting devices that imitate legitimate cell towers to send fraudulent messages directly to nearby phones,” said Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr., PLDT chief operating officer and head of network. “This is why we continue to strengthen our network defenses while working closely with government partners to help protect our customers.”
Jimenez added that stopping scams requires coordination beyond telecom networks alone.
“Protecting Filipinos from online scams requires strong collaboration across government, industry, and the public,” he said. “By raising awareness and strengthening safeguards across networks, we can make it harder for criminals to exploit mobile technologies.”
Smart, together with its value brand TNT, has also rolled out anti-text scam awareness videos to support government efforts against mobile-enabled fraud.
PLDT and Smart said common scam messages often rely on urgency tactics, such as warnings about account suspension, expiring rewards, or locked access credentials. Others lure users with fake prizes or promotional offers designed to push victims into clicking malicious links.
The companies also warned about signal hijacking techniques using IMSI catchers, or rogue base stations that impersonate real cellular towers. Once connected, these devices can push phishing messages directly to nearby phones without passing through a telecom operator’s messaging system.
A sudden drop from 5G to older networks like 2G, followed by suspicious messages, may indicate possible exposure to these fake cell sites, according to PLDT and Smart.
Smart urged users not to click links in unsolicited messages and to report suspicious texts through its HULISCAM portal at https://smart.com.ph/huliscam, verified social media accounts, or the Smart hotline *888.