Amidst reports of continued increase in cyber identity theft cases, the Philippine National Police has issued a cautionary reminder to the public to exercise extra care in disclosing personal information online and on clicking on website links.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) headed by Major Gen. Sydney Hernia has disclosed a 12.2% increase in cyber identity theft cases last year.

In a statement, Hernia revealed that the ACG recorded 1,597 cyber identity theft cases in 2023, marking an uptick from 1,402 cases in 2022. Perpetrators of this offense are subject to the penalties specified in Section 4 (b) of Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The ACG chief disclosed that law enforcement has apprehended 20 suspects over the past two years through inquest and regular filing, while ongoing investigations and referrals to other agencies are being pursued for other cases.

He clarified that some cases are resolved under the classification of "beyond police control," addressing issues such as complainant-related challenges, such as failure to submit requirements, reluctance to pursue charges, record-keeping requests, or difficulties in locating individuals.

Explaining the dynamics of cyber identity theft, Hernia highlighted that it occurs when individuals inadvertently share sensitive information through methods like phishing, scams, or downloading malicious software.

Cybercriminals often exploit social media platforms, insecure networks, compromised ATMs, and target data breaches on company, government, or educational websites.

To mitigate the risk of falling victim to cyber identity theft, Hernia emphasized that netizens should refrain from sharing unnecessary personal information online, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and verify the presence of "https://" in the URL when entering sensitive information on websites.

"By following these tips and remaining vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber identity theft. Always be proactive in managing your online presence and protecting your personal information," Hernia advised.