Globe Telecom flags new phishing scams

Globe Telecom sounded the alarm on scammers exploiting the Russia-Ukraine conflict by launching phishing attacks disguised as humanitarian aid initiatives.

The Ayala-led telecom firm said in a statement on Wednesday that the public would need to be vigilant as the war in eastern Europe was also leading to a surge in phishing attacks.

“We all need to watch out for certain types of emails or content that will try to lure us into sharing our information. These may contain topics such as humanitarian aid-themed scams and online petitions for Ukraine,” Globe chief information security officer Anton Bonifacio said.

Citing Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Globe said the phishing incidents had been mainly in Ukraine and its European allies. But these could “easily” spread across Asia as well, it warned.

Safeguard personal data

Other forms of related phishing attacks include the dissemination of content pretending to share updates about the Russia-Ukraine crisis and fake tips to handle the impact of the crisis, including locating gas stations offering the lowest prices, Globe cited.

Phishing is a fraudulent activity where scammers trick users into giving out their personal and sensitive information via suspicious emails, mobile messages and links. Having access to such data will allow scammers to take over or use without permission victims’ bank accounts.

The telco player reminded the public to check the credibility of any email, post or website before clicking it, noting that “personal information should not be given out unless deemed absolutely necessary, and should be done only through official channels.”

Globe said it had teamed up with banks and e-commerce companies to address phishing activities and other financial scams.

Most recently, it inked an information-sharing pact—which is guided by Data Privacy Act and banking regulations—with the Union Bank of the Philippines to hasten the investigation into such fraud incidents.

The listed company blocked 1.15 billion scam and spam messages, about 7,000 mobile numbers linked to scammers as well as 2,000 unofficial social media accounts and phishing sites last year.