Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is in discussions with GSMA, the world’s top association of mobile operators, for a service that would boost efforts to further protect subscribers from spam messages.
Smart is exploring the use of GSMA’s spam reporting service to enable subscribers to easily report spammers to the National Telecommunications Commission, which can then determine the appropriate sanctions for the erring parties. Under the proposed service, subscribers can forward nuisance spam messages to the dedicated number 7726 (SPAM).
GSMA’s anti-spam service is being used by top operators abroad, such as AT&T, Vodafone, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Smart’s discussion with GSMA is one of the company’s recent efforts to address pressing customer concerns like spam and text scams.
Early this year, Smart launched an education campaign to inform subscribers about the modus operandi of unscrupulous scammers. Subscribers can learn more about scams and report scam incidents at www.smart.com.ph/smart2know
The most common complaint involves Pasaload, a service that allows subscribers to transfer load credits to others. To address this, Smart now requires subscribers to confirm Pasaload requests to make sure they are aware of the transaction.
If subscribers send an SMS to 808 – Smart’s Pasaload number – Smart sends a message informing them that they are about to transfer load to another person. Load will only be transferred once the subscribers send YES to 808 within 15 minutes.
Aside from putting in additional security features, Smart continues to coordinate closely with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and police authorities to prevent spammers and scammers from victimizing more subscribers.
Smart subscribers are encouraged to report scam attempts and incidents to the company by calling hotline *888 using their mobile phone or sending a message to the @smartcares Twitter account. They may also report scammers to the NTC One Stop Public Assistance Center by calling 9213521 or 9267722, or sending an email to ospac@ntc.gov.ph.
