Cyber identity theft cases up by 13.9% in 2023
Cases of cyber identity theft in 2023 increased by nearly 14 percent, data from the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group show.
The ACG recorded 1,597 cyber identity theft incidents across the country in 2023. This figure is higher compared to the 1,402 cases in 2022, an increase of 13.9 percent.
Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia, ACG director, said cyber identity theft occurs when people unknowingly share sensitive information through phishing or by downloading malicious software.
Cybercriminals also exploit social media platforms, insecure networks and compromised automated teller machines or ATMs, aside from targeting data breaches on company, government or educational websites.
Hernia advised netizens to exercise caution in sharing personal information online, urging them to avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources to avoid compromising their accounts.
Speaking to reporters, ACG cyber response unit head Col. Jay Guillermo said that while the increase is not alarming, considering there are about 88 million social media users in the country, people should still be careful when using the internet.
Guillermo said people should be careful when their friend on social media starts asking for money, as in the case of those who claimed they got into an accident and needed help.
In this case, he said it is highly possible that the person’s account has been hacked by cybercriminals.
The ACG also urged the public not to give in to peer pressure and immediately get into a relationship as they could become victims of love scams, noting that February is the month of love. A love scam is a modus operandi wherein people get into a relationship with other persons online. The victims are unaware they are being scammed by their lovers, who are using fictitious names.
Guillermo said the latest modus operandi involves enticing victims to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. After the victims invest their money, the cryptocurrency website becomes deactivated.
Meanwhile, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said it has streamlined its complaints filing and investigation process to address challenges and concerns in the still evolving privacy concerns of Filipino data subjects.
“With the difficulties encountered by the NPC over the past couple of years, especially during the pandemic, it is imperative to streamline, improve and institutionalize its processes and procedures and amend certain provisions of its Rules of Procedure. To this end, the NPC will be able to further carry out its mandates and functions efficiently,” said privacy commissioner John Henry Naga.
The amendments, as contained in NPC Circular 2024-01, are set to take effect on Feb. 10, he added.
These include the recognition of the service of judgments, orders or resolutions issued by the NPC through electronic systems and allowing multiple parties to join or be joined either as complainants or respondents to enhance efficiency and speedy resolution of a case that has multiple complainants.
Also in the amendments is the provision for alternative dispute resolution, which institutionalizes videoconferencing technology as an alternative venue for mediation proceedings, enabling the remote appearance and the giving of testimony of parties beyond the NPC premises.