LAOAG CITY (PIA) – For this year’s observance of Consumer Welfare Month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is strengthening their campaign on cybersecurity to ensure the safety of personal data from being used in online scams.
 
Ma. Lourdes Laconsay, regional economic affairs staff of BSP North Luzon Regional Office, said that in the past months, they have noted an increase in text and email scams, especially phishing and vishing attacks.
 
Laconsay explained that phishing is a type of social engineering attack used to steal user data including login credentials and credit card numbers. 
 
It is done when an attacker dupes a victim into clicking or opening a malicious link sent through email, instant message, or text messages that can lead to the installation of a malware on a computer, the freezing of the system as part of a ransomware attack, or revealing personal or sensitive information of the victim.
 
On the other hand, “vishing,” which is short for voice phishing, involves a phone call, where the attacker convinces the victim to disclose personal information, typically bank details.
 
Laconsay shared some reliable ways one can protect himself from being victims of these attacks:
 
1.     Prioritize the safety of personal information and data by avoiding the sharing of photos of any type of IDs on social media;
 
2.     Use unique usernames and passwords and do not share them with anyone;
 
3.     Regularly clear cache and cookies data on your internet browsers;
 
4.     Do not click or open malicious links sent through text messages or emails;
 
5.     Verify that the website or application you are using for online transactions is secured and safe;
 
6.     Report or block mobile numbers and emails used for phishing and vishing attacks; and
 
7.     Be conscious of how much personal information to share online to avoid identity theft.
 
Laconsay stressed that catching up to the digital world is important but cybersecurity is also a necessity. 
 
"Maging maingat tayo, lalo na sa pag-post ng mga personal na impormasyon natin o mga ibang tao because these can be used for scams. Always remember our cyber hygiene, at ang BSP ready na tumulong sa mga tao to inform them on their financial safety online," she said.
 
She added that the BSP offices are open for people who are victims of online frauds. (JCR/AMB/EJFG/GPD, PIA Ilocos Norte)