Free protection now available to Android users via the GlobeOne app
To help shield users from the increasing danger of text-based phishing attacks, especially those sent using spoof Globe or GCash sender IDs, Globe has introduced a new SMS Scam Shield feature on the GlobeOne app. Currently accessible to Android customers, the functionality is Globe’s most recent effort to strengthen consumer protection against ever-more-advanced fraud schemes.
Phishing and spoofing scams usually pose as trustworthy messages, such as those from banks, Globe, or GCash, in an effort to fool consumers into giving personal information or clicking on harmful links. Scams of this kind have become more common in recent years, particularly those that are created using rogue devices called IMSI catchers that imitate cell towers.
“SMS Scam Shield is our way of giving customers more control and peace of mind. With this built-in protection, users are alerted via the GlobeOne app when they receive suspicious messages that may contain dangerous links or impersonate Globe-affiliated brands,” said Coco Domingo, Globe Product Experience Vice President.
Once activated on the GlobeOne app, SMS Scam Shield scans messages locally on the user’s device while ensuring privacy, and alerts users with a push notification if a message is suspected to be a scam. The system also helps detect fake sender names like “GLOBE,” “GLOBEREWARD,” or “GCASH,” and flags messages with phishing links.
To date, over 34,000 GlobeOne users have enabled the feature. Since rollout, the system has already identified more than 13,000 phishing messages, just weeks into its launch.
Globe subscribers can activate and use SMS Scam Shield for free within the GlobeOne app. Once permissions are granted, the app automatically starts protecting the user from fraudulent messages. For those concerned about privacy, Globe emphasized that it does not read or store SMS messages, the scam shield runs entirely on-device and only collects harmful links to strengthen the system’s defenses.
The feature also supports community reporting through https://www.globe.com.ph/stop-spam, encouraging users to report scams and contribute to wider link blacklisting.
SMS Scam Shield is part of Globe’s broader commitment to building a safer digital experience for Filipinos. It complements the company’s other cybersecurity efforts and serves as an early step toward integrating more AI-powered threat detection and protection across its platforms.
“Security shouldn’t be an afterthought,i t should be seamless. This is just the beginning of more proactive tools we’re building into our digital services,” added Domingo.
Globe encourages all Android customers to actively defend themselves from SMS scams by turning on the feature through their GlobeOne app. Choose “Profile” and then “Security Settings” in the GlobeOne app to enable.
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