Mobile wallet app GCash is preparing to transition from transaction text messages to in-app inbox notifications in a bid to ensure alerts are legitimate.
Spam messages continue to plague phone numbers in the Philippines and the unsolicted messages now contain subscribers' names and other personalized details.
"GCash has been relentless in protecting the funds and personal data of our customers. Migrating the transaction confirmation messages from text messages to the app inbox will help ensure users are only getting legitimate messages regarding their GCash transactions," said Ingrid Rose Ann Beroña, Chief Risk Officer of GCash.
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GCash has been informing users of transactions via text advisories, usually detailing the amount sent, the receiver, and the remaining balance on the GCash account.
"Aside from improving security, we hope this move makes the experience of GCash users more seamless and convenient as we strive to make their everyday lives better," Beroña said.
Starting September, notifications for the following features will be sent to the in-app inbox instead of the user's phone inbox:
- Pay Bills
- Send Money
- Buy Load
The new notifications will be accessible in the GCash app inbox and reflected on the "Activity" tab. Security one-time pins, or OTPs, will still be sent to your phone inbox.
To keep users safe against fraud, GCash has been employing state-of-the-art and real-time risk monitoring to catch suspicious activities. It has also movet to bar and blacklist fraudulent transactions in accounts, strenghened by a parternship with the Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group and National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division to catch scammers.
