Online scamming has been around for as long as shopping online has been possible. With the hard life nowadays “scammers” are constantly looking for ways to rob good people of their money. We can say that “scammers” are the modern thief, cunning, resourceful and can disappear in a blink of an eye. Those who are unfortunate enough to encounter such a thief can very well consider themselves unlucky and carefree. There are tons of way to avoid such fate, such as buy only from a reputable seller or always check the item first prior to paying but if you’re carefree nature has taken the best of you… fret not! Since as of Last June 14, 2000, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada signed the Electronic Commerce Act into law and President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Under the E-Commerce Law, Section 33(c) violators of the Consumer Act or Republic Act No. 7394 and other relevant or pertinent laws through transactions covered by or using electronic data messages or electronic documents, shall be penalized with the same penalties as provided in those laws. And in charge of implementing such rules and regulations are the DTI, Department of Budget and Management, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Those agencies are hereby empowered to enforce the provisions of this Act and issue implementing rules and regulations necessary, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and