#GCash in collaboration with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), cautions users about social media channels falsely claiming affiliation with the app. These channels often post dubious links via counterfeit profiles that interact with followers to obtain personal information used for scams, frequently leading to account takeover or loss of hard-earned funds.
Numerous deceptive accounts promote gambling or gaming opportunities under misleading names like “GCash88 Media”, “GCash Update," and others, creating a false impression of association with GCash.
“We consistently advise the public to refrain from clicking on links from unknown or suspicious sources,” stated Alexander K. Ramos, Executive Director of CICC. "Scammers previously disseminated such links via SMS, but they have now discovered another platform.”
GCash’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications, Gilda Maquilan, also reiterated the need for users to exercise increased vigilance during online transactions. “GCash’s official pages are @gcashofficial, where we announce our promotions, and @wearegcash, the official corporate page of GCash, nothing else.” We believe that social media platforms remain the most effective means to engage our users. However, we strongly caution our users that any other profile or username is fraudulent and should be avoided.”
To further safeguard users from online scams, GCash continues to collaborate closely with law enforcement authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG). This collaboration has resulted in the blocking of over four million fraudulent accounts, and the removal of 810 phishing sites and 45,000 malicious social media posts and accounts as of 2023. “We will continue to work closely with our partners from law enforcement agencies, including the PNP, NBI, CICC, and others, in tracking down scammers behind these deceptive online channels and ensuring they are pursued by the authorities,” Maquilan added.
CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos has also expressed his commitment to maintaining the safety and security of the country’s digital ecosystem. “Our combined resources with our fellow law enforcement agencies have already traced many suspects behind these social media pages and arrested them in law enforcement operations. Let this be a stern warning to other cybercriminals out there, you will be pursued, you will be found, and you will be apprehended," Ramos stated.
In response to the discovered modus operandi, GCash strongly advises users never to disclose their MPIN or OTP and to avoid clicking on unknown links from websites, emails, messaging apps, and social media channels.
“At GCash, trust and security are our top priorities. From the moment you download the GCash app, our security technology is at work to protect your account. We continuously invest in and innovate our systems to ensure the safety and security of GCash accounts throughout the customer journey. While these security features are in place, we also constantly remind our customers that they play a crucial role as the first and strongest line of defense in safeguarding their accounts,” Maquilan concluded.
To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com or message Gigi on the website with the phrase “I want to report a scam.” Customers can also contact the official GCash hotline at 2882 for inquiries and other concerns.
For immediate assistance, users are encouraged to reach out to the PNP-ACG through their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph. For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com
FAQs
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What is GCash? GCash is the leading finance app in the Philippines that allows users to make transactions and manage their finances.
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What is CICC? The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is a government agency that investigates cybercrimes and coordinates with other law enforcement agencies.
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What are the official GCash pages? The official GCash pages are @gcashofficial, where they announce their promotions, and @wearegcash, the official corporate page of GCash.
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How can I report scams and fraudulent activities? You can report scams and fraudulent activities by visiting the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com or messaging Gigi on the website with the phrase “I want to report a scam.” You can also contact the official GCash hotline at 2882.
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Who is Gilda Maquilan? Gilda Maquilan is the Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at GCash.