How to Report Scam Phone Numbers to the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
A comprehensive legal-practice guide
Important: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice. Laws and regulations are current as of 16 June 2025.
1. Regulatory & Statutory Framework
| Instrument | Key Provisions Relevant to Scam Calls & Texts |
|---|---|
| Republic Act (RA) 7925 (Public Telecommunications Policy Act, 1995) | Grants NTC jurisdiction over all public telecom entities; empowers it to “protect and promote the interests of subscribers.” |
| RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act, 2012) | Punishes computer-related fraud, identity theft, phishing and other online swindling; empowers law-enforcement authorities to preserve and collect computer data (including call/SMS logs). |
| RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act, 1998) | Covers fraudulent acquisition of credit via phones/SIMs; imposes imprisonment and fines. |
| RA 11934 (SIM Registration Act, 2022; effectivity 27 Dec 2022; IRR effective 18 Jan 2023) | Mandates registration of all SIMs; directs NTC and telcos to deactivate unregistered SIMs and block reported fraudulent numbers. |
| RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act, 2012) | Protects personal data submitted with a complaint; requires proportionality & confidentiality. |
| Revised Penal Code, Art. 315 (Estafa) | Applies when scam calls/texts induce a victim to part with money or property through deceit. |
| NTC Memorandum Circulars & Orders (e.g., MC 03-05-2008 on text spam; MC 01-07-2012 on Value-Added Services; MC 01-02-2023 implementing SIM Registration Act) | Operationalize reporting, blocking and penalizing abusive numbers; authorize telcos to terminate service and the NTC to impose administrative fines (up to ₱300,000 per violation, plus daily fines for continuing offenses). |
2. NTC’s Jurisdiction & Powers
Administrative – investigates complaints, issues show-cause or cease-and-desist orders, levies fines, and orders telcos to block or permanently deactivate a SIM.
Quasi-judicial – conducts hearings under its Rules of Practice & Procedure; its decisions are appealable to the Court of Appeals via Rule 43.
Coordinative – works with:
- Telcos (Globe, Smart, DITO, etc.) for immediate blocking;
- PNP-ACG & NBI-CCD for criminal investigation;
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for cybersecurity.
3. Who May File
- Any subscriber who received a scam or phishing call/text.
- Institutional victims (banks, e-wallets, e-commerce platforms) whose brands are spoofed.
- Whistle-blowers or public-interest groups acting locus standi to protect consumers.
4. Evidentiary Checklist
Screenshots or photos of the call log or text thread showing:
- scammer’s number;
- date & time stamps;
- actual fraudulent content or request (“Congratulations, you won…”, fake OTP, etc.).
Affidavit of Complaint (sworn before a notary or administering officer) narrating the incident.
Government-issued ID of the complainant.
Proof of loss (receipts, bank statements) if money or data was compromised.
Additional digital evidence (voice recordings, e-mail confirmations) when available.
5. Step-by-Step Reporting Procedure
| Step | Where & How | Legal Basis / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare evidence | Consolidate the checklist above. | Data Privacy Act §20(b) allows minimal necessary collection. |
| 2. Choose your channel | (a) NTC Consumer Welfare & Protection Division (CWPD) Manila or any NTC Regional Office – file in person or by courier; (b) E-mail (consumer@ntc.gov.ph / region-specific e-mails); (c) Online portal (NTC e-Case Management System) – attaches PDFs/JPGs; (d) Telco short code 7726 (“SPAM”) for immediate blocking – NTC still urges a formal complaint afterwards for record-keeping. | MC 03-05-2008; SIM Registration IRR §12(c). |
| 3. Fill out Complaint Form | Includes parties’ details, narrative, and relief sought (blocking, investigation, refund). | NTC Rules on Pleading & Practice. |
| 4. Pay docket fee | ₱200 (current schedule) waived if no monetary claim. | NTC Revised Schedule of Fees. |
| 5. Sworn certification of Non-Forum Shopping | Attach to affidavit. | Rule 43, Court of Appeals; NTC Practice. |
| 6. Docketing & Case Number | NTC issues an official complaint number within five (5) working days. | Internal SOP. |
| 7. Show-Cause Order & Summons to telco or alleged perpetrator | Respondent has ten (10) days to answer. | NTC Rules §12. |
| 8. Preliminary Conference & Hearing | May be virtual; parties mark exhibits. | NTC Rules §16. |
| 9. Submission for Decision | Within fifteen (15) days after last pleading. | NTC Rules §21. |
| 10. Decision & Remedies | Decision served; aggrieved party may move for reconsideration (15 days) or appeal to CA (Rule 43). | RA 7925 §21; NTC Rules §23–24. |
6. Possible Outcomes & Sanctions
| Respondent | Administrative | Criminal Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom Service Subscriber (scammer) | SIM deactivation; blacklisting; fine up to ₱50,000; confiscation of device. | Estafa (RPC Art. 315); RA 10175 & RA 8484: imprisonment (prisión mayor) and/or fines up to ₱1,000,000. |
| Telco / VAS Provider | Fine ₱200 to ₱300,000 per violation; daily fines for continuing non-compliance; suspension or revocation of CPCN. | RA 7925 §21 imposes criminal liability for willful violation of NTC orders. |
| Foreign-based Caller | Blocking of number; coordination with overseas regulators via MLATs. | Extradition possible if covered by cybercrime treaties. |
7. Interaction with SIM Registration Act
Verified-scam numbers must be blocked within 24 hours by telcos once notified by the NTC (IRR §12).
Subscriber identity linked to the SIM will be disclosed to law enforcement only upon valid subpoena or court order (IRR §10; Data Privacy Act §13(f)).
Failure to register or providing false information is punishable by:
- first offense – suspension/deactivation;
- subsequent offenses – imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to ₱300,000.
8. Data-Privacy & Witness-Protection Considerations
- Confidentiality. Personal data provided is processed under legitimate interests and legal obligation grounds (DPA §12(c) & (f)).
- Protection for whistle-blowers. Where threats or large-scale fraud are involved, complainants may request coverage under the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act (RA 6981).
- Retention. NTC retains complaint documents for five (5) years or until final resolution, whichever is longer, then securely disposes of them.
9. Parallel or Alternative Remedies
| Forum / Agency | Remedy |
|---|---|
| PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (Camp Crame + regional cyber units) | Criminal investigation; entrapment operations; preservation orders under Rule on Cybercrime Warrants. |
| NBI-Cybercrime Division | Same as PNP, plus digital forensics support for prosecution. |
| Department of Trade & Industry – Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau | Administrative action if scam relates to deceptive sales tactics. |
| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas & Anti-Money Laundering Council | Tracing of stolen funds when scams involve e-wallet transfers or bank accounts. |
| Civil Action for Damages under Arts. 19, 20 & 21, Civil Code | Sue perpetrator for actual, moral and exemplary damages; venue = place of domicile or where scam occurred. |
10. Best-Practice Tips for Complainants & Counsel
- Act Quickly. The fresher the logs, the easier for telcos to trace routing data (usually retained for only 90 days unless preserved).
- Aggregate Similar Complaints. Class-type complaints help establish pattern and heighten NTC response.
- Maintain Chain of Custody. Use write-protected storage or hashing tools for digital copies when large sums are involved.
- Notify Your Banks/E-Wallets simultaneously to trigger real-time blocking or reversal of fraudulent transfers.
- Monitor Case Status via the NTC e-CMS or through the assigned Case Officer; follow-up letters often expedite action.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the complaint anonymous? | No. You must identify yourself, but the NTC may withhold your details from the respondent for security. |
| Will the NTC refund my money? | The NTC can direct telcos to facilitate restitution, but only the courts can compel the scammer to return funds if he is not a telco subscriber. |
| Can I report a number even if no money was lost? | Yes; any attempt or threat is sufficient ground under MC 03-05-2008. |
| Does blocking via 7726 end the matter? | It blocks the specific number, but a formal NTC complaint builds a record and can trigger criminal prosecution. |
| How long does the process take? | Simple blocking requests: 24 – 72 hours; full administrative cases: 60 – 90 days; criminal prosecution: variable, 1 – 3 years. |
12. Conclusion
The NTC provides a robust yet accessible channel for combating scam calls and texts in the Philippines. By coupling prompt evidence-gathering with a properly-filed NTC complaint, victims not only secure immediate blocking of malicious numbers but also lay the foundation for administrative fines and criminal prosecution that deter future fraudsters. In light of the SIM Registration Act and enhanced inter-agency coordination, reporting is now more consequential than ever; every documented complaint tightens the net around scammers and safeguards the broader public.
Need further assistance? Consider consulting a lawyer experienced in telecommunications or cyber-crime litigation to navigate complex cases, especially those involving large monetary losses or cross-border syndicates.