Amorganda Y. Saludar
Central Visayas,
October 19 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issue an
advisory warning the public that under the Cybercrime Prevention Act
online fraud is punishable.
In a press release, DTI-7
said this warning intends to educate and warn the public and ensure that
cyberspace is safeguarded from malicious individuals and corrupt business
practice.
According to DTI online fraud is
punishable under the law, and this includes Fake Websites which mimic
a genuine reputable online business by using a very similar website address or
that pretend to be a legitimate business with the sole purpose of defrauding
unsuspecting shoppers.
Online Auction Scams which
receive goods that are counterfeit or that significantly differ from the
original description and are of lesser value or there are no goods
delivered.
Weight Loss Medicine
Scams which offer alternative slimming aids or medicines which have not
been tested and are harmful; Phishing Emails that purportedly come
from legitimate and well-known sources which contain a link to a false but
credible-looking website where the victim will be asked to update their
personal or account information.
With this the department through its
provincial offices regularly conducts free seminars on Fair Trade Law
(FLT) to include Price Act of the Philippines, Product Standards Law, Business
Name Registration Law, and the Customer Act of the Philippines to increase the
public’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the law.
To inquire on the schedule of the
FTL seminars, call the nearest DTI Office. In Central Visayas, those
interested may call DTI Cebu at (032) 255-7082, DTI Bohol (038) 412-3302, DTI
Negros Oriental (035) 255-4781, DTI Siquijor (035) 344-2238. (mbcn/ays/PIA7/with
reports from DTI-7)