Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has strengthened its SIM registration system by introducing enhanced verification tools and advanced technology to combat fraudulent activities. This move focuses on stopping the use of fake IDs and photos during registration.
In compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s directive, Smart has rolled out several security measures since December 2023. These include a “live selfie” feature, liveness checks, and the disabling of stock selfies. Each registration must also pass verification before activation.
“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.
During a recent House Committee hearing, the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) noted Smart’s upgraded system, saying how it successfully blocked their attempts to register SIMs using fake IDs.
In addition to the tighter registration process, Smart has deployed a new firewall to block malicious links in unsolicited messages. In August alone, the company stopped nearly 200 million SMShing attempts and blocked over 770,000 numbers tied to phishing and other illicit activities this year.
Smart continues to collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and customers to fight fraud. Suspicious messages or calls can be reported via Smart’s official channels or by calling their hotline at *888.