Text Scam Warning: “Handog Pangkabuhayan”

Posted on November 18th, 2007. Written by Rico.

The Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management (PNP-DIDM) has warned the Filipino public of a text messaging scam currently making the rounds.

Mobile users who receive an SMS asking them to join the “Handog Pangkabuhayan” (“Gift of Livelihood”) promo are advised to ignore it, as it comes from a syndicate seeking to con unsuspecting people out of their money. The text message asks recipients to text or call a particular number to join the “promo.” Those who do so are asked to continue texting or calling several times to remain “qualified” for the “contest.”

Apparently, the syndicate is trying to fool people into making unnecessary calls and texts, running up their charges, for reasons currently unknown. The message claims authorization from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Central Bank of the Philippines to give their scam a semblance of legitimacy.

Legitimate SMS promos will always course through telecommunication companies’ short codes, 3- or 4-digit numbers provided by the carrier, not the usual mobile number format (eg: 917-123-4567). Customers with complaints are advised to contact the DTI Hotline at 811-8231, local 1216, or the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) at 9267722.