Smart Communications blocked more than 955 million scam and phishing text messages in the first quarter of 2026, and blacklisted close to 200,000 mobile numbers linked to fraudulent activity. The numbers are staggering, but they also point to a specific and growing threat that goes beyond the usual mass-blast spam: fake cell towers.
The Fake Cell Tower Problem
“Scammers are exploiting devices that imitate legitimate cell towers to send fraudulent messages directly to nearby phones,” said Menardo ‘Butch’ Jimenez Jr., chief operating officer of PLDT and head of network. “This is why we continue to strengthen our network defenses while working closely with government partners to help protect our customers.”
The technique is called signal hijacking, and it relies on hardware known as IMSI catchers, essentially rogue base stations that impersonate real cellular towers. When a phone connects to one of these devices thinking it’s a legitimate tower, the IMSI catcher can push text messages directly to that handset without ever touching the telecom operator’s messaging network. That’s what makes these attacks harder to intercept at the network level.
One early warning sign: a sudden drop from 5G to an older network, such as 2G, just before suspicious messages arrive. That kind of unexpected downgrade can indicate a nearby rogue base station forcing your phone onto a weaker, more easily exploited signal.
How to Spot a Scam Text
PLDT and Smart have outlined some consistent patterns in fraudulent messages. Most work by creating a sense of urgency, claims that your account will be suspended, that rewards points are about to expire, or that your login credentials are at risk. Others go the opposite direction, dangling prizes or exclusive deals to get you to tap an embedded link.
The consistent thread across all of them: a link you didn’t ask for, and pressure to act fast.
What Smart Is Doing About It
Beyond the blocking and blacklisting work happening at the network level, Smart and its value brand TNT recently launched anti-text scam awareness videos as part of a broader government campaign against mobile-based fraud.
“Protecting Filipinos from online scams requires strong collaboration across government, industry and the public,” Jimenez Jr. said. “By raising awareness and strengthening safeguards across networks, we can make it harder for criminals to exploit mobile technologies.”
How to Report a Scam Text
If you receive a suspicious message, don’t click any links. Report it through Smart’s HULISCAM portal, Smart’s verified social media accounts, or by calling the Smart hotline at *888.