Smart ends use of shortened links to help address scams

FIGHT VS. SCAMS. Telecommunications company Smart's official domains. The telco firm on Wednesday (Sept. 3, 2025) said it stopped sending shortened links for its text blasts and is instead using the full address of its official domain, https://smart.com.ph, to help lessen the risk of people clicking on links that scammers use to get personal information and funds. (Photo from Smart)

MANILA – Telecommunications firm Smart is now using the full address of its official domain, https://smart.com.ph, for text blasts to prevent its consumers from clicking links that scammers use to victimize unsuspecting people.

In a statement Wednesday, Smart warned its customers anew from tapping and opening links sent through the short messaging system (SMS).

"Only smart.com.ph is legitimate, and any other version is fraudulent and designed to trick customers into giving away personal information," Smart vice president and head of Regulatory Affairs at Smart lawyer Roy Ibay said.

"For SIM registration, Smart sends the official link https://ift.tt/IGTWuvf only to unregistered numbers. Customers are reminded that registered SIMs don't need to register again."

The company said that in the first seven months this year, it blacklisted more than 369,000 mobile numbers involved in phishing activities and has prevented over 1.7 billion scam texts from reaching consumers.

"We urge everyone to be extra vigilant, avoid opening suspicious links, and immediately report these attempts through our official channels so we can act against scammers," Ibay said.

Smart urges the public to report suspicious messages to its HuliSCAM portal, https://ift.tt/aj7sYeZ, call the hotline of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center at 1326, file a complaint with the National Telecommunications Commission at www.ntc.gov.ph or report scams through its consumer hotline at 1682.

Other options include reporting cyber threats to Smart's verified and official social media pages – Smart Communications on Facebook and @SmartCares on X — or call hotline *888. (PNA)

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