Globe has received reports that its sender ID has been used to spread a malicious message apparently targeting the President’s family or prominent political figures.
Globe wishes to clarify that the said message is a case of spoofing, where fraudsters send unauthorized SMS with a spoofed sender ID to mobile users in a particular area using fake cell towers.
Spoofing uses an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher—a portable device that captures mobile users within a limited radius by forcing their signal to downgrade to 2G, the old cellular network technology for voice calls and texts. Messages sent via spoofing do not pass through the Globe cellular network, thus bypassing Globe’s stringent anti-fraud filters.
Globe is investigating this incident and is working with relevant authorities and other partners to prevent a recurrence.
Globe would also like to remind its customers to be wary of suspicious text messages they receive and never engage with its senders.
As a mobile network operator engaged in public service, Globe will never send messages of a political nature and does not have any political alliance. Instead, it is committed to working with the government to achieve shared goals, including inclusive connectivity and a digitally-enabled and thriving Filipino nation.