super jili Be wary of text scams this holiday season, PNP-ACG warns public

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 INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

 MANILA – With criminals out to make a fast buck this holiday season, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG) on Friday reminded the public to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to text scams.

In a statement, the PNP-ACG warned the public about Short Message Service (SMS) or text scams that merge with legitimate message threads, making it increasingly challenging for account holders to distinguish between genuine messages and fraudulent ones.

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“If you receive a message with links pretending to be from a bank or financial institution, it is likely a spoofing scam. In this type of scam, cybercriminals fake an email address, phone number, or website to make it look like it is from a trusted source. They use malicious software to make the message appear real,” ACG officer in charge Col. Vina Guzman said.

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She added that staying vigilant in all online transactions is essential.

“Never click on suspicious links, and always verify transactions directly with your bank or financial institution. Remember: think before you click to avoid falling victim to text scams,” Guzman said. (PNA)

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