GCash will no longer send SMS advisories, here's how you can track your transactions instead
As SMS spam becomes more prevalent, GCash will begin sending notifications to in-app inboxes instead of text message inboxes.
This transition comes as a security measure to ensure that messages from the e-wallet are legit.
Users of the e-wallet typically receive SMS alerts when there are advisories from GCash and when a transaction has been made on their account—whether that's sending or receiving money.
"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.
How then can you monitor transactions if you won't be receiving texts about them anymore?
In the GCash app, you'll see the Inbox tab at the bottom of your screen. Here you will see the messages about online payments and when you receive money to your account.
Meanwhile, you can check the money coming in and out of your e-wallet in the Transactions tab next to the QR button. The name of the sender won't be reflected in the receipt anymore, but their number will be displayed in full.
One-time pins, or OTPs, will still be sent to your phone's inbox.
In a message sent to its subscribers on Sept. 30, GCash announced that it will start delivering "send money" confirmation messages through the app's inbox on Oct. 5. "It will be followed by BUY LOAD and BANK TRANSFER on Oct. 12," the e-wallet provider added.
Recently, some netizens raised their concerns when they started receiving spam messages containing their full names. They speculated that since the format of their names in the text is similar to their GCash usernames appear, scammers could be searching for their names on the app.
Moving forward, remember that GCash will never send personal messages to address concerns nor will they ask for your MPIN and OTP.