GCash users are advised to be cautious of a new email scam targeting their accounts. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) issued a warning after reports of scammers switching to Viber and Facebook Messenger to send fraudulent messages and emails.
These messages appear to come from GCash and claim a user’s account is “under review.” The message then urges the recipient to “verify their account” to maintain access to GCash services.
The message reads: “Good day from GCash, we would like to inform you that your account is under review, we request you to verify your account to continually access our eWallet services.”
A suspicious link is included, where victims are instructed to enter personal and account details.
“We always advise the public to avoid clicking any links from unknown or suspicious senders,” said CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos. This shift in tactics comes after the implementation of the SIM Registration Act in December 2022, which has significantly reduced the number of scam text messages.
“Scammers are bypassing our SMS systems by using emails as senders or via social media like Viber and FB Messengers,” lamented Ramos. GCash has taken a stand against online fraud, blocking 4 million accounts in 2023 alone. Additionally, they took down over 800 phishing sites and 45,000 malicious social media posts last year.
With millions of Filipinos utilizing GCash, staying vigilant against online scams remains crucial. If you suspect you’ve been targeted, do not click on any suspicious links and report the incident immediately to the Inter-Agency Response Center (IARC) by calling their hotline at 1326. Remember, GCash will never request personal information through unsolicited emails or social media messages.
Image: Unsplash
