Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Sam Mendoza Returns

This person is now using another different number. He/she just doesn't know when to give up. This time using 0922-9790614.

I got the message at 3:53PM

After blocking her number, I was able to have a little peace until a few minutes ago while I was writing this update, I got another FlashSMS or Class0Message from him/her again and because it can't be blocked... I guess I have to again endure being harassed by his/her flashSMS a few more times.


I wonder what is it exactly that continuously drives this person to harass others? Doesn't he/she have anything better to do than this? How come he/she has all the time to continuously do this? Is he/she even employed to keep himself/herself at least a little busy?

So the cycle continues... I'm really praying for a mobile harassment bill and for the 2 house bills mentioned in my previous post to hopefully be implemented.




Thursday, February 26, 2015

Why I want House Bill 5231 & 5335 to be approved and strictly implemented.

February 26, 2015. I thought my issue was resolved with Sam Mendoza. Apparently it wasn't. I received 3 more Flash SMS from this scammer. Thank Heavens, this time they weren't immediately one after another.


I couldn't block him/her yet this time because she was purely sending Flash SMS instead of normal SMS messages so I have been patiently clicking on 'Dismiss' and ignoring him/her. Finally he/she decided to send me an SMS messages.


So happy to block his/her number again, this time 0923-3161121.

This actually is an eye opener and shows room for improvement in PH Telecom Industry. I am praying we would have a law in place someday against mobile harassment. I am also hoping that House Bill 5231 "Subscriber Identity Module Card Registration Act"will be approved and strictly implemented so that telco companies and/or NTC can monitor these scammers & spammers and penalize them against this and/or hopefully maybe banning them from ever owning another mobile phone/number. Similar laws are being done in many parts of the world like India and Singapore and now under discussion in China.

Yesterday February 25, 2016, a similar bill was filed. Rep. Roy M Loyola (5th District, Cavite) filed House Bill 5335, which requires the registration of all prepaid SIM cards and directs telecom companies to keep a registry of these subscribers.

Reference:
Philippine Star: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/12/14/1402455/house-start-debates-bill-requiring-sim-card-registration
House of Representatives: http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=8539

Sam Mendoza: A Scam, Spam and Mobile Harassment

I'm sure a lot of you hate receiving spams on your mobile phones. Usually I just delete and ignore it but when it becomes a series of repeated pattern sometimes you get to loose your patience and get tempted to reply.... Please don't. Let me tell you a true story about Sam Mendoza.

My goal here is here is to spread awareness and enlighten people about the many forms of scam and harassment

January 20, 2015/ I have repeatedly received SMS from 0923-244-0687 claiming to be Sam Mendoza, 22 years old from Negros Occidental asking for financial help so she could go to Manila for work with a website link to her profile. I have been receiving other similar messages from her the whole day.




Finally I wanted to sleep and decided to ask her to stop and it was the biggest mistake I did because she started sending me non-stop Flash SMS from him/her with no other buttons but 'Dismiss' but as soon as I click on it, I get another one in a non-stop continuing cycle even when I have turned off my phone (message changes for each FlashSMS).




Flash SMS are also called "Class 0 Message". For some countries, it's actually illegal. You don't receive it via normal SMS so you won't see the mobile number of who is the sender.

I have disabled 'Notifications' on my iPhone 4S settings was able to block her mobile number.
Here's how:
1. Open the exact SMS-
2. Click on Contact on the upper right-
3. Click on the "i" inside a circle symbol-
4. Click on Block this Caller on the below option.

By blocking her phone number, I am no longer receiving normal SMS from her but I am still receiving Flash SMS from her since I can't block it. I've reached out to NTC (Consumer Welfare & Protection Division) which agreed to help block this scammer.
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 1:27 PM
Subject: [SPAM] FW: Reporting SMS Scam: Text SMS and Flash SMS

National Telecommunications Commission
Consumer Welfare & Protection Division

Google research shows that he/she has been scamming a lot of people for a few years now, since 2008. Type "Scam Sam Mendoza" and you will see multiple references.

Blog References show as early as year 2008:
Everyday Rhythm: SMS Scam by Sam O Mendoza
SMS SCAM ALERT: Sam Mendoza, the new Marie Velasco
SAM MENDOZA SCAM!!! ~ Curiouser Curiouser
Chronicles of Sam O. Mendoza, Ramblings of an insomiac
SMS SCAM ALERT – SAM O. MENDOZA B.P. CAVITE
Sam Mendoza Text Scam – Animetric’s World – My daily…
SMS or Text Scam by Sam Mendoza, Noelizm
SCAM: Sam Mendoza, Visayas.tk, Louie Miranda
SMS Scam: Sam O Mendoza, Angel Crying for help – Altis….
Me, Myself and I: Scam Sam
Sam Mendoza, Kampeon Ng Pag-ibig
Listening Post: Alert! Anna Marie Velasco Text Scam
Wikipedia Talk: Articles for Creation/Sam Mendoza SMS….
SMS Scam Alert: Sam Mendoza seeks help thru SMS
A Scam letter for YOU by Sam Mendoza - Bubblews
SMS Spammers – FemaleNetwork.com