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A Handy Guide on How to Avoid and Report a GCash Scam

Protect your e-wallet from fraudsters by taking the following proactive measures



In this article:

7 Practical Ways to Prevent Becoming a Victim of GCash Scams

    1. Do not click on random or suspicious links

    2. Never share your MPIN, OTP, and CVV

    3. Check seller reviews before transferring payment

    4. Donate through official payment channels only

    5. Conduct regular security checkups for your accounts

    6. Never sell your GCash account

    7. Ignore hacked accounts

How to Report a GCash Scam

    Phishing

    Swindling

    Account Takeover

Keep Your Money Safe with GCash


Going cashless and turning to digital payments are only picking up momentum. Here, we see users shifting more and more to e-wallets like GCash, designed to make payments the most effortless they’ve ever been for things like online shopping, bills payment, bank transfers, investments, and more.


Increased digitization, however, leaves room for a number of security risks. Although e-wallets are convenient, falling prey to modern-day scams is just as ever-present a threat. In protecting your hard-earned money and funds parked in your GCash account, it’s important to be aware of the risks to avoid fraud.


If you happen to be an active GCash user, the guide ahead can help you stay on top of your personal cybersecurity efforts so you can better protect your funds.



 

7 Practical Ways to Prevent Becoming a Victim of GCash Scams

When it comes to account protection, preventive measures are better than reactive measures. Minimizing the chances of getting scammed in the first place is much less work than filing a scam report to retrieve your stolen funds. Here are actions you can take to avoid getting tricked by fraudsters.



1. Do not click on random or suspicious links

Fraudsters may send out SMS messages saying you have won a GCash raffle, for example, where they will then ask you to click on a link in order for you to claim your rewards. Doing so, however, will only grant them access to your funds and identity.


It’s important to note that official GCash announcements will never be made through personal numbers. Also, verified links should direct you to the app, not a website. If the SMS receives claiming to be from GCash looks suspicious, block the number from your phone immediately.



2. Never share your MPIN, OTP, and CVV

To access your GCash account, here are the details needed: your mobile personal identification number (MPIN) and one-time password (OTP). Always keep these two to yourself. 


In some instances, scammers would even go as far as requesting your bank card’s CVV. But the rule of thumb is: never share these numbers with anyone. Remember that GCash will also never ask for them outside the app.



3. Check seller reviews before transferring payment

The e-commerce industry is on a roll—and this is what criminals are taking advantage of. Online stores have now become a playground for potential scams.


To identify which shops are legitimate, be sure to check reviews and ratings left by previous customers. If you find mostly complaints, the chances are the shop is a fraud. To prevent others from getting victimized, report the store to its hosting website to have it flagged and eventually shut down.



4. Donate through official payment channels only

During calamities and crises, fraudsters will use donation channels to receive supposed financial assistance for those in need. To ensure your contributions reach their intended recipients, only donate through official channels like GCash and other trusted and transparent organizations.



5. Conduct regular security checkups on your accounts

Maintaining your account’s security by doing a regular security sweep is essential to avoiding scams. A great way to update your account security is to change your MPIN every month. You can also enable GCash’s biometrics login feature so only you can access your account physically.


6. Never sell your GCash account

There are instances when GCash users unknowingly sell their verified accounts to fraudsters. Unfortunately, they do not know that in these cases, it’s possible, too, that their accounts get used as fake identities to carry out criminal activity. Do not be an accessory to a crime—never sell or give anyone access to your account.


If your phone gets lost or stolen, immediately send a report to GCash to transfer your services to your new number.



7. Ignore hacked accounts

Hackers may also use the profiles of your loved ones to steal from you. This is a tactic often used by scammers hacking an account.


If a scammer sends you a message posing as a friend or family member, asking you for help to transfer money to their account, try calling them to check if the message they sent is legitimate. You can also visit your friend or family in person, if possible. If they refuse, or your loved one has no idea about the request, chances are a scam has hacked your contact’s page or pages.



How to Report a GCash Scam

Scammers, unfortunately, can find other ways to successfully access your account…no matter how cautious you are. In this case, acting quickly by reporting the incident is the best response.


The first step to report a GCash scam is to submit a ticket through the GCash Help Center. Enter your email address, GCash-registered full name, and GCash-registered mobile number, and follow the steps below.


Phishing

1. In the “Concern Category,” choose “My GCash Account,” then tap “I want to report an account involved with fraudulent activity.”

2. Under “Explain your concern,” indicate the following:

  • Email address, phone number, and/or profile of the sender

  • Link sent that requested your GCash details

3. Attach screenshots of the fraudulent message, including the website URL.

4. Tap on “Submit.” A live agent should be in touch via email within 24 hours. To follow up on your ticket, visit the GCash Help Center and message Gigi, GCash’s virtual assistant.



Swindling

1. In the “Concern Category,” choose “My GCash Account,” then tap “I was scammed.”

2. Under “Explain your concern,” include the following:

  • Transaction date and time

  • GCash Reference Number, if used for payment

3. Input the Alleged Fraud Number and Name, if available.

4. Indicate the Type of Scam.

5.  Attach screenshots of the following:

  • Conversation with the alleged fraudster

  • Product advertisement

  • Transaction receipts

6. Click Submit.

7. Secure a police report specifying the GCash wallet and name from your nearest police station. You will receive instructions covering how to submit the police report to GCash afterward.


Account Takeover

The three common signs of a GCash Account Takeover are the following:

  • Your MPIN no longer works

  • There are unauthorized transactions in your GCash Transaction History

  • There are unauthorized transactions in accounts linked to your GCash


For this concern, first, reset your MPIN if you can still access your account. Submit a ticket within 15 days of the unauthorized transactions on the app or within 24 hours if they involve card/s. Here are the rest of the steps, depending on whether or not you have information on the hacker: 


If you don't know the hacker’s information:
  1. In the “Concern Category,” choose “My GCash Account,” then tap “I want to report an account involved with fraudulent activity.”

  2. Under “Explain your concern,” indicate details of the takeover. 

  3. Attach screenshots of the unauthorized transactions.

  4. Tap “Submit.”



If you know the hacker’s information:
  1. In the “Concern Category,” choose “My GCash Account,” then tap “My account was hacked.

  2. Under “Explain your concern,” indicate the details of the takeover. 

  3. Input the Alleged Fraud Number and Name, if available.

  4. Enter the GCash Reference Number of the unauthorized transaction. You may check your SMS for this if you have already lost access to your account.

  5. If other transactions have occurred, indicate their reference numbers under “Other Transaction Number.”

  6. Select the “Kind of modus.”

  7. Indicate whether you shared your OTP, MPIN, or other account information and if your MPIN has been reset without your knowledge.

  8. Specify the unauthorized transaction and the total disputed amount.

  9. Indicate if you shared OTPs from your GCash-linked bank accounts and if your account was linked to other online applications without your consent.

  10. Attach screenshots of the unauthorized transactions.

  11. Click “Submit.”




Keep Your Money Safe with GCash

The convenience of e-wallets like GCash unfortunately comes with risks that fraudsters are ready to exploit. To combat phishing, swindling, hacking, and other attacks, keep your account security in check. Update your app and take note of advisories to ensure that you are maximizing your account’s security features.


Be extra careful with your transactions, too! Never disclose personal and account information to anyone. If you fall victim to these attacks, keep records of all fraudulent transactions and immediately report the incident to GCash for a swift, effective troubleshooting experience.



Art Maurice Zafra

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