GCash, the Philippines’ leading e-wallet, is making this holiday season even merrier and truly unforgettable with its latest giveaway. From December 12 to 15, everyone has a chance to win up to P1,200 instant GCash credits when you scan the Merry GCash Billboard from 6am to 9am and 6pm-12mn every night!

Everyday until December 15, up to 15 winners nationwide per day will be awarded tons of exciting prizes such as GCash credits, gadgets, gaming consoles, and even a brand new motorcycle.

A grand prize of P1M will be awarded to one lucky user on December 15, so keep using GCash to increase your chances of winning!


Keep the Merry Spirit Going Until December 31: More Deals and Promos Await

The countdown to Christmas continues with more daily deals and surprises from your favorite retail shops, online stores, and restaurants. Don’t miss out on these exclusive deals and more from December 16 to 31 when you use GCash and unlock the joy this holiday season at these merchants:

12/16	Keds	Get P500 off	Min spend P5,000
12/17	Regatta	₱200 OFF	Min spend  ₱1,500  Code:RGTGCASH
12/18	Sunlight Air	Get P500 off	On regular fares  Code: SUNLIGHT
12/19	Res Toe Run	Get P800 + P500 off	When you purchase Birkenstock
12/20	Pancake House	Buy 1 Get 1
12/21	Figaro	FREE Iced Caramel Macchiato	Min spend of P350
12/22	Oxgn	Get P200 off	Min spend of P1,500 Code: GCASHOXY
12/23	NYFD	Get 20% off	When you buy all types of fries
12/24	Seaoil	Get P100 off
12/25	Datablitz	Get 5% off on ASUS bundles
12/26	Papa John’s	Get P100 off	Min spend of P699
12/27	SM Markets	Get FREE Delivery	Min spend P2,000
12/28	Penshoppe	Get P150 off	Min spend of P2500 Code: GCASHPEN
12/29	Primer Group	Get 10% off
12/30	Silicon Valley	Get P500 off	When you purchase the iPhone 15 via GGives
12/31	Sperry	Get P700 off	Min spend P7000

This Merry GCash season, Lahat Ay Merry with more prizes, more deals, and more opportunities to win! Download the GCash App and be part of the biggest holiday celebration of the year!

In the recent past, text scammers would claim to be an OFW relative using their new roaming number and ask for prepaid load, or pretend to mis-send load credits and ask you to return them. While we still get our share of text scams from time to time, a lot of us already associate these messages with fraud and simply ignore them.

But as the use of e-wallets and online payment channels have become increasingly popular and indispensable, scams have evolved to be much more sophisticated. A common scam is done through phishing, wherein a fraudster gathers personal information like MPINs and OTPs, and uses this to gain access to accounts and steal the funds of the user.

Targeting users of leading e-wallet platforms, phishing scams happen not just through text messages, but also through call and social media platforms. While trusted financial institutions such as GCash double up on their security measures through security features such as DoubleSafe Face ID against cybercrimes, it is also helpful to be aware of new scams, how they work, and warning signs to catch them early. Here are common phishing scams e-wallet users should look out for:

• ‘Magtop-up para sa online gambling’ phishing scam

It’s very tempting to earn extra income while having fun, but that could be the opposite if you find yourself a victim of scammers that pose as online gambling sites. This phishing scam involves fraudsters leading players to a non-PAGCOR licensed gaming provider, where they will be asked to ‘top-up’ using a fake GCash portal, often using the same layout, color and logos, to retrieve credentials and access the victim’s account. 

How do you spot this? 

When you create an account with suspicious gambling sites, you will be given the option to use  your GCash account so you could top up your account. You will be redirected to a fake website that looks like a GCash portal, and will be prompted to enter your mobile number, OTP and MPIN. Once you’ve provided your information, hackers will now be able to access your account.

How could you stop this?

When asked to link your GCash account, always check the URL or name of the link to make sure you are on the GCash portal. Legitimate GCash portals begin in https:// and only end in ‘gcash.com’ while suspicious portals may have a series of numbers in the beginning, extra characters, and have misspelled words (ex. Gccash vs GCash). 

 

When requesting an OTP, always read the SMS to make sure you are not unknowingly linking a foreign device to your account. Never share your MPIN and OTP to anyone, including suspicious online gaming sites.

• ‘Nakahold ang account mo’ phishing scam
  
  

  

While there are scams that exploit different forms of entertainment, there are also those that cause panic and simulate emergency situations. The ‘Nakahold ang account mo’ phishing scam involves fraudsters pretending to be from legitimate financial institutions and making up negative consequences to encourage users into immediately providing their sensitive information.

How do you spot this? 

The fraudster will contact you, either through a phone call or social media platforms, and will claim to be a GCash employee, telling you that your account is on hold or frozen. They will then tell you that you can only have your account activated by sharing your MPIN and OTP. Once they have this information, they can gain access to your account and steal your funds. 

How could you stop this?

GCash will never ask you to activate your account through a phone call or through messaging applications. All transactions are only done through the official GCash app, including resolving concerns related to your account.

If a notice feels rushed, it’s most likely a phishing scam! Check your account through the GCash app first to confirm if it is indeed on hold and don’t share your MPIN and OTP to anyone – even those who claim to be from GCash. Remember that GCash will never ask these details from you.. 

• ‘Nanalo ka ng prize!’ Phishing Scam

Remember those earlier text scams telling potential victims that they've won a raffle and asking them to send a processing fee to be able to claim a prize? Just like this, a third phishing scam also notifies potential victims that they’ve won prizes to a GCash raffle they did not join. However, instead of asking them for a fee, this involves using a seemingly legitimate link to gain your credentials and access your account. 

How do you spot this? 

The fraudster, pretending to be from GCash, will send you an SMS or email saying you’ve won a reward, cashback or prize. You will be directed to click a link to claim the prize, leading to a fake website that looks like a GCash portal. Once you enter your mobile number, MPIN and OTP, your account can now be accessed by the cyber criminals.

How could you stop this?

Remember that GCash will never send links via SMS, email and messaging apps and all legitimate rewards and promos will only be communicated through the official GCash app, so never click on links and never share your MPIN and OTP to anyone. Always make it a habit to check any SMS or email you receive. Any communication from an unexpected or unfamiliar sender with an offer that’s too good to be true is usually a phishing scam.

Cybercriminals will continuously find ways to become more creative with their tactics and remain unsuspicious and realistic. Even if you might think you are not worthy of being the target of online predators, being a technology user will always put you as a potential target of any attack, especially if you’re one of the millions of user base of a leading e-wallet app like GCash. 

Fortunately, you have one of the best defenses against any phishing scam: you. Now that you are aware of how common phishing scams work, doing your part to protect your e-wallet account only takes a simple action: Do not ever share your MPIN and OTP.

If you encounter phishing scams and fraudulent activities targeting your GCash account, you may report by visiting the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us  or messaging Gigi on the website and typing, “I want to report a scam.”

Almost 5 out of 10 Filipinos have outstanding loans, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) latest Financial Inclusion Survey in 2021. Of this number, day-to-day expenses, emergencies, and fulfilling financial or life goals are the top three reasons why Filipino adults borrow. 

However, only two out of ten Filipinos have access to formal financial services offered by banks and government institutions like the Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG, with some resorting to borrowing from individuals or lending companies with unfairly high interest rates.

Moreover, BSP notes that 25% of Filipino adults were forced to use up their savings during the pandemic, which means that on top of having to deal with everyday finances, they may not have enough cash to cover emergency expenses. 

In line with its goal of making affordable loans accessible to more Filipinos, e-wallet app, GCash introduces new ways for Filipinos to conveniently manage their finances. On top of using the GCash app to pay bills, send money, buy load or pay for online and in-store purchases, users can now easily borrow money in the form of GLoan, GGives, and GCredit.

“We at GCash are working hard to give every Filipino access to fair loans not just to help them meet their basic needs but also empower them to achieve their life goals,” said Zo Canaria, FUSE Lending Growth Marketing Head. “Through GCash’s in-app innovations, we hope to give Filipinos an easy way to fund the lifestyle they deserve and fulfill long-standing goals they were previously unable to achieve due to financial challenges.”

GLoan: Fast-cash loan offering

GLoan, the loan product of GCash, offers instant cash up to P125,000 straight to eligible users’ GCash wallets, which can be used for starting or expanding a business, cover emergency expenses, celebrate special occasions or even to pay for different necessities. Through GLoan, eligible users can borrow from P1,000 to P125,000 as good as cash, with an interest rate of as low as 1.59%. 

To borrow, users simply submit their loan application within the app with no additional documents needed and wait for the loan to be reflected straight to their GCash wallet within 24 hours. The loan can then be paid for as low as P265 a month for 5-24 months. 

GGives: Light and easy installment plan

Meanwhile, GGives is GCash’ light and flexible installment plan which allows eligible users to purchase big-ticket items and pay for it in up to 24 months. GGives allows eligible users to purchase items amounting up to P125,000 in one transaction and choose their payment terms in installments from 3, 6, 9, or 12 months and up to 24 gives. 

GGives can be used for both in-store and online purchase of selected merchants. Unlike other installment products, GGives does not require additional documents during application and does not need an upfront downpayment and processing fees. 

GCredit: Always-ready credit line 

GCredit, powered by CIMB, is an always-ready credit line by GCash that can be used to pay for select bills, as well as products and services in-store and online. Eligible users can get up to a Php 50,000 credit line that they can use for bills payment, online buys, and in-store QR purchases to cover everyday expenses. 

With GCredit, users are only charged based on the number of days they borrow. This prorated interest means users who pay earlier get charged a lower interest. GCredit’s Minimum Amount Due also allows users to pay as low as 15% of their dues on their billing and/or due date. 

To be eligible for GLoan, GGives, and GCredit, users must have a fully verified GCash profile and must maintain a qualified GScore, which is the app’s trust rating reflecting their GCash activity. GScore is the primary basis to qualify for GLoan, GGives, GCredit and enjoy benefits such as lowest interest rates and highest credit line or loan amount. 

As your GScore is computed based on GCash activity, users must maintain an active GCash wallet balance by cashing in regularly and using different GCash services. For those who are already using any of the GCash borrow products, such as GLoan, GGives or GCredit, they must pay their dues early or on time to maintain their GScore and be eligible for future credit transactions.

Users may access GLoan, GGives and GCredit through the GCash dashboard or find it under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery! Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

Filipinos have embraced all things of the Hallyu wave. Kdrama, KPop, food, and fashion—what’s not to love about South Korea? Whether you’re heading to go on a pilgrimage to your favorite idol group, or just can’t wait to immerse yourself in their culture, it can’t be denied Filipinos have put the country high on top of their travel bucket list. 

Leading mobile wallet GCash strengthens its efforts to promote women empowerment and inclusion during Women’s Month with a fireside chat to build women leaders of the GNation and create a space for learning from different experiences and expertise.

The workshop was held in collaboration with She Talks Asia, a movement that celebrates the modern woman and provides a space for inspiration and support among women across multiple platforms.

Entitled “Her Story, Her Power: A Women's Month Fireside Chat”, the workshop highlighted the value of embracing one’s self-worth and achieving one’s full potential in order to succeed in both personal and professional life. The event also conducted a breakout session to broaden the discussion on relevant topics on women empowerment, aimed to show how the company values women’s contributions.

In his remarks, GCash Chief People Officer Robert Gonzales highlighted the company’s commitment to champion inclusivity and diversity in GNation and in the fintech sector.

“GCash has always taken pride in promoting equality in its work culture, particularly in recognizing its women workforce who continue to change the game in the FinTech Industry. We are truly excited to be building a community that allows the women of GNation to empower and lean on one another ​​and be courageous and ambitious in any pursuit” Robert said.

GCash currently has 46% women in its workforce, compared to 28.8% industry average. With this, 44% of its leaders are proudly female versus 10% industry average.

The talks and panel discussion were conducted by women leaders from different expertise and diverse backgrounds. G-Xchange, Inc. Chief Finance Officer Marshi Go- Brozo was one of the key speakers and shared her journey of healing, resilience, self-love, and how she found her own voice and purpose.

“When my husband passed away, I was afraid that I would not be able to give my best to my kids. Then one night, I looked at my life and I realized if I believe in my heart that God won’t give me anything beyond what I can bear then it must be true for my kids also. I just have to be here to guide them on what we really need in life. Know your identity. You are valuable because of who you are,” Marshi said.

During the workshop, Dr. Rea Celine Villa, a psychologist in Pasig City General Hospital and a Senior Psychologist at mental health company Mind You, highlighted the value of recognizing one’s self-worth.

“You need to understand and implement self-compassion. It’s loving yourself even if tingin mo hindi ka lovable. Sometimes it’s easier to love someone else but the concept of doing the same is not always taught in our culture, kasi it’s like you work for the family, get high grades for prestige, but we never focus on ourselves. In dire need na you’re in a crisis, doon mas kailangan ng compassion. Not during your wins, but more on your bad times,” Dr. Villa said.

Behavioral economist and Gallup-certified Strengths coach Rose Fres Fausto shared insights on how to address gender gap in the workplace and how to create a better, and more empowered version of yourself.

“We have to champion each other. We, women, have a lot of work interruptions to do unpaid work. More than proving ourselves as a woman, we have to put it on the conversation table because this is just not a problem of women but of society. When we empower women, we don’t just empower the 50 percent of society, but the entire society,” Rose said.

Lynn Pinugu, She Talks Asia CEO and co-founder moderated the fireside chat and offered attendees meaningful insights centered on the event theme.

“Conversations like this are what actually create and allow us to continue building that positive culture because it’s so easy to be complacent. And that’s why I celebrate companies like GCash who always make sure conversations like this are at the forefront,” Lynn said.

Proving itself as a company that values equal opportunity, more and more women leaders can also be seen taking the helm at GCash including its president and CEO Martha Sazon, Chief Technology and Operations Officer Pebbles Sy, Chief Compliance Officer Atty. Cef Sison, Chief Legal Officer Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, Chief Risk Officer Ingrid Berona, and GCash Chief Strategy Officer Rowena Zamora, just to name a few. 

Beyond Women’s Month, GCash continues to support gender equality, create safe spaces for women, and help them become more empowered in pursuit of its vision of achieving Finance for All.