Do you have an e-mail address?Do you have an automated teller machine card? Are you on Facebook? Do you upload pictures in your cellphone, apply for jobs online, do other daily activities on your various electronic gadgetry? If you are in any of these possible databank, then beware of the possibility of identity theft.
The threat of identity theft has to be taken seriously, as personal information is acquired, processed, stored, and disseminated in a bewildering variety of ways, and through increasingly sophisticated, miniaturized, and distributed internet technologies.
Do you know the four biggest internet threats you face? Electronic fraud, identity theft, credit/debit card fraud, and cheque fraud.
Have you received emails claiming to be from financial institutions or other legitimate organizations, or informing you that their security details and passwords need to be updated by logging into an authentic-looking, but fake website?
Your Internet banking details to access your bank accounts is the target of scammers.
Other emails communicate security messages, and advise you to download or install attachments. By downloading or installing the software, you may, in fact, have exposed yourself to fraud.
When an impostor obtains by foul means your personal information and security codes, he could use your information to commit fraud or other crimes, hiding behind your identity.
Account fraud occurs when someone else obtains your credit card number or bank account information, and makes unauthorized charges or withdrawals.
These are known as “shadow crime” because victims are unaware that their identities have been stolen.
What is alarming is that media reports show the international syndicated nature of the crime, as shown in the recent arrest of Bulgarian nationals using skimming devices/ machines.
Conspirators like waiters, cashiers, or even the managers, or any person who have access to one’s card, can swipe the card via a skimming machine, and copy the data.
Or some unscrupulous person will sell or make available the legally acquired data bank. After copying the data, they will transfer the data to another card, or another electronic mailing list. They can transact the new card which will be charged to the poor victim. The skimming machine is always available in the market.
The danger is open to the public, a scary reality, which the government is trying to address.
Congress finally approved legislation to counter online identity theft through the enactment of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 which was approved by President Benigno Aquino III on Aug. 15, 2012.
The title of this RA is An Act Protecting Individual Personal Information in Information & Communications Systems in the Government and Private Sector, Creating for this Purpose a National Privacy Commission, and for other purposes.
One of its main features is that it penalizes unauthorized processing of personal information with one to three years’ imprisonment, and a fine of not less than P500,000 and not more than P2 million; imposes a higher penalty of three to six years’ imprisonment, and fine not less than P500,000 and more than P4 million.
Let us be smart and alert Internet users.
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
