The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has warned the public about the unauthorized scanning and data collection of physical and digital versions of the national ID.

In a statement, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the agency is not conducting any activities related to such practices and has urged the public to exercise caution and vigilance.

Mapa said these activities are unauthorized and pose a significant risk to the privacy and security of individuals.

The Philippine identification (PhilIDs) card is an essential component of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), a government initiative aimed at providing a universal identification card to all Filipinos.

The card contains sensitive personal information and serves as a means of authentication for various governmental and private transactions.

The PSA has called upon the public to refrain from submitting their PhilID or ePhilID cards, or any personal information, to any individual or entity claiming to represent the agency for scanning, data collection, or verification. 

By doing so, individuals could inadvertently compromise their personal data, leaving themselves vulnerable to identity theft or other forms of fraud.

To address this issue, the PSA has urged the public to report any suspicious activities immediately. 

If encountering a person or organization claiming to be associated with the PSA and requesting PhilID or ePhilID cards, individuals are advised to contact the Fraud Management Division of the PSA through their dedicated email address at [email protected]. 

Alternatively, concerned individuals can visit the nearest PhilSys Registration Center to report the incident in person.

“Your cooperation in reporting such incidents is vital in upholding the integrity of the PhilSys and safeguarding the privacy and security of every Filipino,” Mapa said.

“Together, we can ensure a trusted and secure national identification system. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” he concluded.