New text scam victimizing OFWs?

MANILA, Philippines - A new “text scam” is reportedly going around, aimed to victimize relatives of overseas Filipino workers.

In an advisory, Globe Telecom warned the public against a new modus operandi by unscrupulous individuals to dupe and defraud subscribers.

According to the company, a text message is sent out to unsuspecting subscribers supposedly from a relative working abroad saying that the number used to send the text message is his or her new roaming number.

Such text message would read: “Eto na yung bagong roaming ko, kumusta na kayo diyan? Lungkot dito abroad. Miss ko na kayong lahat diyan. Uwi na ako Pasko. (This is my new roaming number. How are all of you. It’s lonely here. Be home on Christmas).”

Another is: “Kamusta na kyo dyn? i2 na bgo ko roaming #, may padala ako dyn. ingat kyo lagi, God­bless. Miss u all.”

The telecom company said that if the recipient of the text responds to it, the scammer posing as the OFW may ask for money or prepaid load credits.

Globe urges the public to be careful not to fall prey to this latest type of text scam. The company said subscribers must double-check the number used to send the text.

Globe Telecom appealed to its subscribers to support the company’s efforts to stop the proliferation of text scams and encourage subscribers to immediately report these fraudulent text messages through the Globe call-in service at 211, toll-free from any Globe or TM mobile phone; or through landline number 730-1000 (toll-free from Globe landlines nationwide); or through the Globe website (www.globe.com.ph/support <http://www.globe.com.ph/support>).