GCash launches new measures to combat text scams

GCash, the country's leading mobile wallet, introduced tougher security measures to protect its users from scams and fraud.

GCash mobile app

GCash improves security for users

In a statement, GCash announced it is migrating transaction confirmation messages to the app inbox and removing clickable links in all emails and text messages to users.

The confirmation SMS for the ‘Send Money’ service will be moved from the text message inbox to the users’ app inbox. Meanwhile, notifications about ‘Buy Load’ and ‘Bank Transfer' services will also be exclusive on the app beginning Oct. 12.

Ingrid Rose Ann Beroña, chief risk officer of GCash, said this will ensure that users get only legitimate messages regarding their GCash transactions.

In addition, the company said blocking links in SMS is "a significant deterrent against scammers."

Government agencies, including the National Telecommunications Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, have been issuing orders to telco players and financial institutions to strengthen their measures to end the surge in text scams.

These changes are in line with our own #SafeWithGCash campaign that aims to ramp up investments, partnerships, as well as educational and awareness programs on keeping our services safe and secure for our 69 million users. The safety of our users is our utmost priority and we continue to invest and implement world-class security measures to protect customer data, said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash.

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