Consumers Urged to Avoid Clicking Links in Suspicious SMS Messages
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is warning the public about an ongoing loan scam targeting customers of the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) through social media and SMS messages. These fraudulent messages promise easy loans with low interest rates, fast approval, and minimal requirements, all of which are too good to be true.
CICC executive director Alexander K. Ramos cautioned that scammers are tricking people into clicking links embedded in the SMS, which are designed to steal sensitive personal and banking information. “We are reiterating our appeal to the public never to click links attached to SMS. Banks will never send clickable links through SMS or email,” Ramos said.
BPI has confirmed that the loan offers being circulated are part of the scam and emphasized that they never send out SMS messages containing links. “If there’s a link, huwag na mag-overthink. Scam yan,” BPI said on its official social media page.
Ramos advised consumers to only contact their banks or legitimate lending institutions directly when applying for loans. While the legitimate process may take longer and require documentation, it ensures the security of personal data.
Victims of these loan scams and other cybercrimes are encouraged to call the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline at 1326, which is available 24/7, including holidays and weekends.
