Motorists passing through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), beware.
A new kind of text scam apparently targeting motorists passing through the expressway has been reported among social media circles in past weeks.
Social media forums such as "SLEX Traffic" have been filled with motorists who alleged that they have received "threatening" text messages after passing through SLEX.
These messages may differ slightly in their wording, but the main message is the same: the motorist is alleged to have committed a traffic violation that they must settle within 24 hours to avoid further penalties.
The messages direct the victims to a link purporting to be that of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) where they could allegedly settle their penalties.
A new kind of scam
However, officials of the LTO, as well as of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have a stern warning to those who received such messages.
In a video recently posted on LTO's social media page, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said these messages may be a form of phishing scams that can be used to gain access to users' private data.
For instance, the links used in the text messages are not the LTO's actual website (www.lto.gov.ph), according to officials.
The official also clarified that the LTO does not send notices of traffic violations to motorists via text messages.
Under the "No Contact Apprehension Policy" currently being implemented by the LTO and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), violators are sent a letter with photo evidence at their registered address.
While an SMS alerting system is now also being implemented under the NCAP, the MMDA had said such messages do not come with any links.
Motorists may also check the May Huli Ka website (https://mayhulika.mmda.gov.ph/) to verify if they have a current traffic violation.
"Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang LTO sa Department of Information and Communications Technology at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan at gumawa na rin ng mga kongkretong hakbang upang masugpo ang mga ganitong uri ng panloloko," Lacanilao added.
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