GCash template for sale goes viral. Here’s how to confirm if your transaction is legitimate
GCash warned users about getting fake, edited receipts after a Facebook user went viral for exposing another user who allegedly sold such online.
"Scam advisory! It has come to our attention that FAKE GCash receipts are being edited and sold online," the e-wallet app said in a Facebook post. "Siguraduhing i-check kung valid ang payment sa Transaction History mo."
In an art card, GCash also reminded users, "Tandaan, valid lamang ang payment kapag ito ay nasa Transaction History."
In a now-viral post, a Facebook user shared a screenshot of the listing of a certain "Akalii Cai," who is "selling fake receipts."
Akalii Cai wrote a price list of services supposedly made via the online graphic design tool Canva.
As indicated in the post, a "fake receipt," "fake via clip," and "fake history" cost P65 apiece. To "take all" the services or the entire "canva template" would cost P200.
There are also photos of the fake receipts, which have a striking resemblance to the official ones in terms of font, design, and color.
The viral post has garnered over 17,000 reactions, 2,700 comments, and 27,000 shares.
In GCash's post, several users demand the app to return its SMS notifications when doing transactions.
A commenter noted that it allows the finance app users to monitor the transactions, even those who don't have mobile data.
In December 2023, GCash on its website announced that it's moving confirmation messages from text message inbox (SMS) to the app's inbox or transaction history "to help improve security." It said the move removes clickable links in all emails and text messages to users, in light of the SMS scam and spam issue.
How to confirm if your transaction is legitimate
GCash, in individual replies to commenters of its advisory, noted it's sending notifications through the app inbox.
"We understand your concern. Gusto naming laging ligtas at secure ang iyong account! To confirm kung naipadala na ang funds, magsesend kami ng notification sa iyong app inbox," it said.
"You can also confirm this sa transaction history ng app anytime at i-compare ang details ng resibo na binigay sa'yo ng sender," it added.
In another reply to a commenter, GCash noted that users may permanently delete messages in their inbox, but their transaction history in the app cannot be deleted.
Users are also encouraged to check their transaction's reference number, the unique 13-digit number assigned to the transaction.
The reference number helps users track and verify their transactions, ensuring the correct funds are sent and received.
To date, GCash has not yet advised users regarding the visual differences between an official and a fake receipt.
