The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a crucial warning to the public about a surge in fraudulent text messages that appear to come from legitimate banks and e-money providers. The central bank emphasized that these messages often contain clickable links that can compromise your financial security.
How the Text Hijacking Scam Works
According to the BSP alert published on November 14, 2025, scammers are using a technique called "text hijacking" to insert fake messages into legitimate message threads. This makes the fraudulent messages appear genuine since they show up alongside real conversations you've had with your bank or financial institution.
The central bank specifically cited BSP Memorandum M-2022-015, which clearly states that legitimate banks will never send clickable links to their customers through text messages. Scammers typically create a sense of urgency in these messages, pressuring recipients to take immediate action that ultimately leads to stolen account credentials and financial losses.
Essential Protection Measures
The BSP recommends several key security practices to protect yourself from these sophisticated scams. First and foremost, enable multi-factor authentication on all your financial accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just passwords.
Additionally, the central bank advises consumers to avoid clicking on suspicious links in text messages, even if they appear to come from trusted sources. Instead, contact your bank directly through their official channels to verify any unusual messages.
If you encounter suspicious messages, the BSP urges the public to report them immediately through official channels so that authorities can track and combat these fraudulent activities effectively.
Why This Warning Matters Now
This alert comes at a time when digital banking and e-money usage in the Philippines continues to grow rapidly. As more Filipinos embrace digital financial services, scammers are developing increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit security vulnerabilities.
The BSP's proactive warning demonstrates their commitment to protecting consumers in the evolving digital landscape. By staying informed and following these security guidelines, Filipinos can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to these text-based financial scams.
