Philippines’ PLDT blocks 23 million texts in sign of scam threat

An employee checks her phone at a Merzci bread and pastries store in Bacolod, the Philippines. The “malicious” messages, blocked from June 11 to 14, contained links to so-called phishing websites that posed as legitimate organisations such as banks, tour operators and recruitment agencies, PLDT said in a statement on June 20. — Bloomberg

In just three days, Philippines-based telecommunications provider PLDT Inc blocked more than 23 million text messages that try to get consumer’s personal data, showing heightened cybersecurity risks in the nation.

The “malicious” messages, blocked from June 11 to 14, contained links to so-called phishing websites that posed as legitimate organisations such as banks, tour operators and recruitment agencies, PLDT said in a statement on June 20.