THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group on Thursday, January 7, 2021, reminded the public to immediately seek assistance in stopping irregular activities affecting their accounts.

“Madami pong mga masasamang loob na nais itong ma-take over para gamitin ang inyong identity at makuha ang inyong mga pinaghihirapan na pera. Responsibilidad po ng mga online services na ating tinatangkilik na siguraduhing secured ang ating mga accounts,” the ACG said in a statement.

“Ngunit reponsibilidad din po natin bilang may-ari ng accounts na siguraduhin na aksyunan agad kung may mga indication na ng hacking ang nagaganap, kagaya ng may nagse-send na ng abiso sa email natin na nagsasabing may nagtangkang mag-login mula sa ibang device, o may humihingi ng passcode or OTP (one-time password) na hindi naman ikaw ang nag-request,” it added.

The ACG noted that hackers have to bypass a verification process that involves notifying the account owner of any transaction.

But hackers have also come up with schemes aimed at confusing their targets and getting the information they need.

Among the schemes being used is to call the account owners and pretend to be a bank employee verifying the account details.

The ACG reiterated that an OTP should not be shared to anyone including those identifying themselves as bank employees.

“Tandaan po natin na meron mga security mechanisms ang ating mga tinatangkilik nating online services at mga banko at hindi po sila pumapayag na mahingi ang inyong mga personal na impormasyon kagaya ng OTP via online, at hindi po dapat natin binibigay iyon sa mga humihingi na siguradong nagpapanggap lamang na sila ay representative ng bangko,” it said.

The ACG issued the statement after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said hackers charged P1 million worth of food to his credit card account. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)