Text Scam Warning, Courtesy of “D’AUTHORS of PHIL. CHARITY FOUNDATION”
By Rico, 7:07 am Fri Apr 18 2008 - Tips & Tricks - 181 Opinions
Same MO as the Handog Pangkabuhayan text scam, with a slightly different message. Here’s what we received from +639203797960:
D’AUTHORS of PHIL. CHARITY FOUNDATION nforum u dat ur Celfon no. Won Php.950,000.00 2nd prize Winner. Draw last:04/14/08. Pls Call Me Now i’m Atty:HALIL N.LUCMAN
So, why is this text obviously a scam?
- It uses a “normal” number. Like we said when we broke the story about the Handog Pangkabuhayan: “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).”
- The copy needs some work. Honestly, would you take a text message coming from “D’AUTHORS of PHIL. CHARITY FOUNDATION” seriously?
- You never entered such a promo. Think about it: how can you win something that you’ve never participated in?
- Lack of claiming instructions. Valid announcements of winners will always featured detailed instructions on how to claim the prize, and not just simple instructions to call so-and-so.
No matter how tempting, we should never give in to the temptations offered by text scams. Unless you want to accidentally give out personal information that can be exploited.
Roderick Nicolas
9:09 am Wed May 26 2010
This morning i received a text message from someone who introduced himself as NOAH HERRERA. He asked me to call him at his number +639067596716. I aalled the number answered by Pia Garcia of PHIL INFO CENTER saying my cellnumber was pick by electronic raffle and I had won 300K and a TOYOTA AVANZA.
I was Advices to call this number +639995652927 Chairman Gilbert Locsin of Cartier International Corp. makers of jewelries and Watches.
I immediately checked the internet and found similar scam messages…
I hope this numbers should be block. To stop this people to scam others that are working hard for their family.