Gatchalian eyes Senate probe over proliferation of fraudulent use of payment cards

Senator Win Gatchalian is eyeing a parallel probe in the Senate on the proliferation of fraudulent use of credit card, debit card, or online bank account to address possible gaps in existing laws in protecting the rights of the consuming public.

Gatchalian, who has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to help unmask his credit card hackers who purchased over P1 million worth of liquor items via a food delivery app, was stunned to discover a number of similar cases that took place in the recent months.

Just minutes after he made public Wednesday the hacking of his credit card, Gatchalian received a barrage of complaints through email and Facebook posts relaying similar cases of access device fraud.

"Despite all the legal mechanisms in place, obviously there's something amiss which could probably explain the reason why these crooks thrive in this kind of a scheme," Gatchalian said.

While there are laws already in place ensuring the consumers' protection such as the Access Devices Regulation Act, as amended, Electronic Commerce Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, Consumer Act of the Philippines, and Data Privacy Act, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks deems that these are not enough safeguards against unscrupulous individuals or groups engaged in phishing and hacking activities and using personal information of another person without authority.

With the emergence of new application software and innovations involving online and cashless transactions which surged following the COVID-19 outbreak, Gatchalian said there might be some aspects in the transactions that are not bound by these laws.

"It's incumbent upon these banks and companies offering convenient electronic transactions to also guarantee the security and protection of their clients' accounts and personal information. As they upgrade their services, they should expect those who will try to gain unauthorized access to be more sophisticated as well. They should provide a proper mechanism that will address the grievances of their customers," said Gatchalian.

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Pagnanakaw gamit ang electronic payment cards gustong paimbestigahan ni Gatchalian sa Senado

Nais paimbestigahan sa Senado ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang mga naglipanang kaso ng mga pagnanakaw gamit ang mga na-hack na mga credit card, debit card o online bank accounts. Aniya, ito'y upang mapunan ang kakulangan sa batas na nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa publiko.

Matapos idulog ni Gatchalian sa National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ang na-hack niyang credit card na ginamit sa pagbili ng mga alak na nagkakahalaga ng higit isang milyong piso sa pamamagitan ng isang food delivery app, napag-alaman ng senador na sunod-sunod na pala ang ganitong klase ng modus nitong mga nakaraang buwan.

Tumambad sa official email at Facebook accounts ng senador ang mga samu't saring reklamo katulad ng naranasan niya noong Miyerkoles, ilang minuto lang matapos nya itong isiwalat sa publiko.

"Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon natin ng mga mekanismo, lumalabas na hindi sapat ang mga ito kaya't patuloy na naisasakatuparan ng mga kawatan ang ganitong klase ng pagnanakaw," ani Gatchalian.

Kahit na may mga kaukulang batas na umiiral na para pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga kunsyumer katulad ng Access Devices Regulation Act, Electronic Commerce Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, Consumer Act of the Philippines, at Data Privacy Act, sinabi ng Vice Chairman ng Senate Committee on Banks na hindi sapat ang mga ito para ihinto ng mga kriminal ang panlilinlang sa mga tao sa mga gawaing tulad ng phishing at hacking o pagnanakaw ng mga personal na impormasyon ng kanilang mga nabibiktima.

Bunsod na rin ng paglaganap ng COVID-19 na nagpausbong sa mga bagong application software at makabagong pamamaraan ng pamimili online o cashless transactions, sinabi ni Gatchalian na maaring may mga aspeto sa mga ganitong klase ng transaksyon na hindi sakop ng mga umiiral na batas.

"Obligasyon ng mga bangko at kumpanyang nag-aalok ng mas magaan na electronic transactions na garantyahin ang kapakanan at seguridad ng kanilang mga kliyente, pati na rin ang kanilang mga personal na impormasyon. Kung nag-a-upgrade man sila sa kanilang mga inaalok na serbisyo, pihadong mapangahas din ang mga masasamang loob para lang maisakatupan ang kanilang pagnanakaw. Dapat ay mayroon ding mekanismo ang industriya ng mga bangko upang agarang matugunan ang mga hinaing o reklamo ng kanilang mga customers," ani Gatchalian.