Beware of online predators
Identity theft can take many forms, but it is defined as the unauthorized acquisition, use, abuse, transfer.
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Daily TribuneIdentity theft can take many forms, but it is defined as the unauthorized acquisition, use, abuse, transfer.
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A news report that a businesswoman lost more than P1 million in her bank account in a suspected case of online crime is indeed alarming.
According to the report, the woman had earlier received numerous messages on one-time passwords or OTPs but ignored them because she wasn't using online banking for her transactions.
However, when she received a message from the bank warning her of a suspicious transaction, that is when she started to get curious and worried. More so, when she learned from the bank that she lost more than P1 million.
The businesswoman immediately sought the help of the NBI cybercrime division following the incident which then vowed to coordinate with the bank in the investigation.
The bank said it could not return the money lost due to the OTP and the lack of a breach detected on their system. It said the businesswoman's account "was compromised outside of the bank's system."
Because of this, the bank reminded clients not to share their account information, password, or OTPs with anyone as it is tantamount to giving online predators access to their accounts.
Statistics show that the use of technology in the commission of traditional crimes poses a big challenge to authorities considering the rising incidence of financially-motivated cybercrimes.
Cybercrime is defined as one that involves a computer or other electronic device. Its most common types of cybercrime are identity theft, online fraud, and online harassment.
While there is no cybercrime law in the Philippines, there are several laws that relate to cybercrime, including the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. These laws define various cybercrimes and prescribe penalties depending on the nature and severity of the offense. The punishment can range from a fine to imprisonment.
According to experts, the internet can be a great way for fraudsters to gain access to one's personal information. The perpetrators typically employ a variety of methods, including clicking on a bogus website. By using a weak password for your social and financial accounts, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to hackers. Cyberstalking is typically associated with seemingly harmless interactions between perpetrators and victims.
What happened to the businesswoman could be what is termed as doxing where an online hacker can impersonate anonymous users and reveal their true identities. The hacker may be able to gain access to the victim's special media profiles, credit card information, and other personal data.
Identity theft can take many forms, but it is defined as the unauthorized acquisition, use, abuse, transfer, possession, change or deletion of an individual's identifying information.
There are many punishable acts of cybercrime, but some of the more common ones are hacking, phishing, denial of service attacks, and creating and distributing malware. These activities can lead to serious consequences like identity theft, financial loss,and even jail time.
In general, the penalties for cybercrimes vary depending on the country and legislation at hand. Because of the damage caused by cybercrime, businesses require serious attention to it. Increasing the visibility of the harsh penalties of cybercrime can serve as a deterrent.
Authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to prevent and prosecute cybercrime. It is a new type of crime that has distinct and distinguishable characteristics. Pursuing hackers ought to be a concerted effort among all countries similarly battling transnational crimes.
Internet Service Providers, meantime, should collaborate on issues of cyber security and cybercrime prevention as the criminal underground continuously evolves into a sophisticated transnational criminal activity.
The PNP, on the other hand, through its Anti-Cybercrime group should send a strong signal to criminals that the PNP is serious about addressing cybercrime in the country. It should provide continuous technical training to police officers to increase competence in cybercrime investigation.
Hand in hand with international cooperation and partnership, this should strengthen the fight against this menace and put online predators in their proper places.
