AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee calls for a swift investigation on the rampant text spam and phishing messages in the country to protect consumers’ rights to privacy and security, and prevent these scammers from causing more harm.
In his House Resolution No. 334, Lee underscores the need for Congress to determine the effectiveness of the government’s intervention being implemented by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC) and other government agencies against the continuing surge of scam text messages.
Last Nov. 23, 2021, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) alarmingly reported that based on their initial investigation, the recent smishing attacks and activities in the country are run by a global crime syndicate.
“It is the duty of the government to ensure that the consumers’ right to privacy is protected and that they are not victimized by fraudulent activities facilitated through spam and phishing messages,” the lawmaker who hails from Sorsogon said.
“Layunin natin na timbangin kung sapat na ba ang ginagawa ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan para matigil ito, at ang enforcement ng mga parusa sa mga manloloko,” he added.
Last Nov. 23, 2021, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) alarmingly reported that based on their initial investigation, the recent smishing attacks and activities in the country are run by a global crime syndicate.
Cyber security experts revealed that the personal information of subscribers collected by scammers through data breaches are sold on the dark web. In the past weeks, citizens reported that these text spams even contained their names.
“Hindi dapat magpapetiks-petiks ang mga ahensyang dapat nakatutok dito. Matagal na itong nangyayari, at dahil hindi mapanagot ang mga nasa likod nito, lalong lumakas ang loob nila at nakahanap ng paraan para mas makapang-biktima,” Lee said.
“The government must come up with an effective intervention to stop the proliferation of these unsolicited text messages. Kailangan ding ma-educate nang maayos ang ating mga kababayan kung paano marereport ang ganitong panloloko; kung saan sila tatawag at ano pa ang dapat nilang gawin para maiwasan ito,” he added.
Text scams are carried out by invisible perpetrators who take advantage of the vulnerability of many Filipinos by promising jobs and money.
“During these times that internet or social media has made it easier for some evil quarters to victimize others, we call on our countrymen to be more alert and cautious,” Lee said.
