I was eavesdropping and heard this problem. A lady’s cousin let somebody borrow her name to a friend. She must have trusted this friend so much that she let her use it. I guess the friend wanted to go abroad, she couldn’t go abroad with her last name because the sister had a bad record. She felt that if she will go to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) office to get a clearance she can’t get it. Maybe the sister also had the same problem using other peoples name. Just a thought.
So when she got the name already borrowed from the owner she will then have the birth certificate. Nowadays to have a birth certificate and can be use you have to go to the NSO (National Statistics Office) office to have it authenticated so that it can be accepted. Also you can get more copies of your birth certificate there and it’s already authenticated too. You just show the original one and you can request some more copies then. Anyway, I guess the friend had all that and started her paperwork to work abroad. I had a feeling while listening to them that the friend must have promised a lot of cash for her to agree to it. The lady finally got a visa to work abroad. She had a contract to work there (I didn’t hear what country she went to) for 2 years. That was the contract she agreed upon with her employer. After 2 years of working abroad the lady went home to the Philippines. While the lady was in the Philippines, the owner of the name told her that she doesn’t want her name to be used anymore and she wants for her to return all the papers and stuff. The lady that is using the identity just didn’t mind the owner. Two months after her vacation the lady that used the identity went abroad again without the knowledge of the owner’s name. She was mad then. She wants the lady now to be deported. So with the owner of the name’s reaction I doubt if the lady gave her money for using her name because why she wants her name back? I was gonna join with their conversation, but I refrain myself I don’t want them to misinterpret what I say to them.
So that got me thinking it must be a lot of case here in the Philippines for that. Now how would a person get back her own identity? Gosh, why on earth would somebody loan their identity to someone else? Is it desperation to get some money for their name? Lots of thought played my head after I heard this. To be honest I don’t think the owner can really get it. Unless maybe she will go to the police and report it. Or maybe she can report to the employment office.
What do you think guys? Do you know of somebody too that happen like this?
hi feyma,
been reading yours and bob's post for awhile, but havent considered giving a comment until now. Anyway, it is a rampant thing in the Philippines, having someone use another persons identity or document especially if your going or coming back to a certain country (Taiwan, for example) where a factory worker can only stay for a certain amount of years. Usually, it only happens within the family circle (e.g. sister to sister or brother to brother) but if its already happenning where a person is selling her identity to another, well its really sad. just goes to show how the economy of the country is going so bad.
Feyma… I have heard of this and it is more common than you would think.Not real wise, though.with all the terrorist paranoia, if you are caught, could be real problems.
Hi Feyma.
I never knew this happened and with all the bureaucracy here I assumed it was just not possible.
I am engaged to a lady from Davao City and when she went for her interview with the US embassy she was refused a K1 visa because they said she was already married in Japn to a Japanese man. She knew nothing about this but she believes it must have been family member(cousin) that used her name to go to Japan and marry. We have been trying to get this resolved with the US embassy but they say NSO documents say you are already married so we are stuck. I am thinking of moving to Davao and just living together until I can solve this with Japanese Consulate.
I'm willing to bet that what happens in the Philippines is more of identity "sale" rather than "identity theft." It is so sad but when poverty is rampant, this kind of problem cries for a resolution at its root cause.
I, for one, cannot condemn nor pass a judgment on those involved though I know if actual identity "theft" were to happen (to me), I would not be a happy camper and will pursue it vigorously to the full extent of the law.
In the same way that sale of "organs" is common in the Philippines (or so I read) "identity sale" is symptomatic of deeper problems, not with the people themselves, but with the environment that breeds these practices.
Thus I look at you and Bob as providing some "light" in the darkness… for you provide employment to some Filipinos and that's a good thing. At least those in your employ are not going to succumb to such measures, just to survive.
Mabuhay and may many more rise to the occasion of generating businesses there.
-Filipina reader
Hi Chris – I never thought and realize that a person can loan or sell her/his identity. I really thought that people are too scared that their reputation would be damage and could end up in jail. Any amount can't pay for it.
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Hi John Miele – Hearing the ladies that was talking and reading from a lot of you guys comments I felt I am too naive to know about this stuff. I never thought anybody wants their identity be used by somebody.
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Hi John – I guess it is happening here. Honestly I hope that this is an eye opener to everyone to secure their identity.
Hi Steve – Just curious did the cousin or the family member got the original birth certificate of your wife? I heard to get the NSO birth certificate authenticated, they have to see the original first. I didn't go through NSO when I process my papers in 1990. I think they just had that in the late 90's.
I really hope for the best to you and your wife. I hope you guys can resolve this problem quickly. Take care and God bless!
Hi ecstasy – I wish what you said is wrong, but I know you are right though. It's hard to judge people, but at the back of my mind how could anybody sell their identity to someone. They could damaged everything about you. So really I hope people won't do it even for any amount of money.
I really appreciate your comment and also reading our columns here in the site. I'm glad you like our site. Thank you so much for stopping by here! Take care and God bless!
Hi Feyma,
I think both the lady that gave her ID and the one who is using the other person's ID are equally guilty. That's why the lady who lost her ID can't complain to the NBI. She might be in a lot of trouble herself.
If there was no money involved it could be a case of " utang na loob " . The lady who gave her ID was trying to return a favour owed to the lady who went abroad. However you mention that there seemed to be a promise of cash in this case so that may not apply.
Hi Feyma & all. Ya! Go to the Police & report What! The one that sold the ID. will probably be in more trouble than the Buyer. Nice MESS. I guess that is why we don't break the laws in the first place. Be thankful we aren't involved!
Hi Elvira Jessup – I think so too. I think they could end up in jail over this matter.
Wow it must be really a big "utang na loob" thats going on then for the other person to give up her own identity. I just had a feeling by listening through their conversation that the lady thats using the ID should have been giving the owner some money but she didn't. Thats why the owner wants her name back. Honestly no matter what the owner should not have let this person used up her name. Theirs a lot of things could go wrong and she herself could end up in jail or something.
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Hi Guy – That's true. I agree with you.
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G'day Feyna,
last week i received a bill (4,995.00) from one internet server ..with my name on it..it is not mine
A friend of mine told me after she arranged a contrat with them that she used my name..for a reason that she got an exsisting account with their internet shop..and she need one at home (she's living in our compound..after i help her ..when she need a place to stay).. 😐 i feel upset about it.How she was able to deal with them??.i was working with them for a while at their internet cafe..got all my copy of my personal document..NBI>>SSS..etc..I asked her why using my name…Her answer is that the copmpany staff suggest to use somebodys name bec. she still got a exsisiting account that still going on to their internet cafe..Without any more blah blah…they used my name.. 😈
After she gave me assurance that she'll pay them on time…I just shrug my shoulder and let her sort things..
last May she move to Malaysia..and now I received this bill…I called the internet server..and told them it is not me..Address said 4th floor 1st Bldg….We are at 2nd Flr.on the 2nd Building..And ask them to look at her Pic..(she's 23 years old and I am 42 years old. It is for them to figure it out..Told them to leave me out of it….
Using your identity on the first place without your knowledge is such an awfull mess… 😐
Hi Jocelyn Green – I can't believe your friend would do such thing like that. My goodness you are in one compound, she didn't even have the courtesy to ask you if she can use your name? If it happened to me, I don't know if I can really control myself of not saying bad stuff to her.
Good luck to you. I hope everything will be sort out soon.
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Hello..I remember hearing an exact story about a couple of years ago between two male friends. When the one who used the other's name came back from abroad, the authorities found out about it and filed a case against the person who lend his identity and not the person who used it.
Hi Marvi H – That might be the reason why nobody report this incident to the police in fear of being in jail? I really hope that a lot of the people learn from it. I hope they stop allowing or selling their identity.
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Hi Feyma,
thanks for your blogs! Much of your stories are all happening not only at present but also long time ago pa, kung sa Tagalog pa "lumang tugtugin na yan".
Some borrows one's identity because they do not have(e.g.)at least HS Diplomas inorder to land a job, and some people don't like to work(!) so they prefer to sell or lend their identity inorder to receive cash or at least SSS will be payed. It's like give and take, but like any other stories somebody takes and forgot in return the promise(deal)to give. It's sad but just like we used to say, pa swerte swerte lang.
Hi silingan – Yeah its been going on for sometime. I really hope this people get a lesson that they would get in trouble at the end.
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i got fiance in the wasshigton seattlei met here 5moths ago we fall in love online,,he decided to go here on april just to see me and marry me,, but we need to dsee first in personal because thats the law from immigration,,were planning to get married there in washington this next year ofjuly wen i get there..were not plan to get married here cos they say its more fast me to go there wen wqe married there ,,he hired a lawyer and he is the one who fix it all we needs…i will go there on july cos the layer said that i will be there after 4 months after my fiancee will visit here..i want to ask wat are my requirements that i nee,,,ooopppsss before i forgot i got a 5 year old son,i am a single mom…thanks