Question of The Day: How can one report scam text messages claiming to be from BDO, especially about reactivating an account, if they don't actually have a BDO account?

Introduction: Receiving scam text messages related to bank account reactivation is a common issue, and it's important to know how to report them, particularly if you don't have an account with the bank mentioned, like BDO (Banco de Oro) in this case.

Steps to Report the Scam:

Report to BDO: Even if you don’t have an account with BDO, report the scam texts to them. BDO has mechanisms to handle phishing and scam reports. You can contact their customer service hotline or report it via their official website.
Report to Authorities:
- Report the scam to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) through their One-Stop Public Assistance Center.
- You can also report to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division.
Do Not Respond or Click Links: Do not respond to the text messages or click on any links provided in them, as this could expose your device to malware or lead to personal data theft.
Document the Messages: Keep a record of the scam text messages, including the sender’s number and the content of the messages. This documentation can be useful when reporting the scam.
Spread Awareness: Inform your friends and family about this scam, especially if they are BDO account holders, to prevent them from falling victim to it.

Additional Precautions:

Regularly update your device’s security software.
Be cautious about sharing personal information, even if the message seems legitimate.
Educate yourself about common phishing and scam tactics.

Conclusion: Reporting scam text messages related to a non-existent BDO account is crucial to help combat cybercrime. Reporting to the bank itself, as well as to relevant authorities like the NTC, PNP, or NBI, along with not interacting with the message and documenting it, are key steps in handling such scams. Raising awareness among your network also helps prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.