BDO Unibank warns clients and general public to combat fraud amidst COVID-19

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Amidst pandemic situation in many countries, BDO warns clients on fraud and scammers.

People all over the world are eagerly searching the internet to learn more about COVID-19. However, as medical experts are still learning about it themselves, there is a shortage of trustworthy information online.

Paying no mind to the global health crisis, cybercriminals are taking full advantage of the situation and exploiting people’s fear and anxiety. They send out fraudulent but highly believable bait messages that trick people into divulging their personal information.

In the US, some scammers call and claim to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They offer a COVID-19 vaccine and to complete the purchase, ask for people’s credit card and Social Security numbers. To date, there is still no cure for the virus. Already, US officials have called out this phishing scheme.

Taking advantage of pandemic in PH

With the recent move by some Philippine banks to extend the payment dues of loans and credit cards by 30 to 60 days, scammers are using the familiar ploy of sending out emails or calling customers and posing as a “legit” bank personnel offering a loan payment extension. The intention here is to get the account details and OTP (one-time password) of the customers so fraudsters can take over the account. 

Because of this, BDO Unibank is reiterating important reminders to clients and the general public to combat fraud: 

1. Do not share personal information.

Personal information consists of bank account numbers, usernames, passwords, or One-Time Pins (OTP). Using this information, scammers can steal identities, access online bank accounts, and steal money.

Personal information can also include birthdays, mother’s maiden name, the street where one grew up in—any unique information about the user can be used by the scammer to unlock online bank accounts.

The bank advises all to be prudent in posting personal info on social media channels. If profile is public, best keep it on private mode for added protection.

2. Do not click on website links.

Fraud attacks can also come as in the form of emails, SMS messages, phone calls, or messages via social media channels. Scammers introduce themselves as officials of a trusted company. Their messages look and sound very convincing and sophisticated. Gone are the days of imperfect grammar and distorted logos. They even include a website link. Hovering on these website links however will -reveal a fake website’s address on the preview.

Do not click on these links. These links will lead to a website identical to a legitimate company’s official site. Here, scammers can harvest personal information.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) says: “Be wary of unverified and unproven COVID-19 websites or applications that require you to give your personal data. These websites and applications might be used by online scammers… Cybercriminals will do anything to obtain personal information, especially your financial and banking details.”

BDO assures clients that it will never include links in its official communications.

3. Do not share OTPs.

Companies send out OTPs via SMS messages as an added layer of protection. For banks, OTPs serve as an account holder’s sign off to proceed with a transaction, like paying for utility bills.

The bank warns clients about scammers pretending to be from BDO. They may offer a 60-day loan payment extension and ask for account details including OTPs, so they can proceed with transferring money to their account.

BDO says that real bank officers will never ask for clients’ personal information, such as OTPs, under any circumstance. When in doubt, report any suspicious communications to ReportPhish@bdo.com.ph.

Be cautious at all times

It’s important to be cautious during this time. “Be wary of fake news. Review and confirm information/sources,” said the DICT.

“Stay tuned in to trusted government and news sites or social media platforms for real and updated information on COVID-19, and do not share unverified information about the situation as not to spread fake news that could incite more panic among the people.

“If you have time to spare, help your friends by verifying the information or sources they share. Contact them directly to clarify whatever falsehood they shared and share with them verified facts about the COVID-19.”

Sources:

• https://www.verge.com/2020/3/19/21186098/phone-scam-cdc-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-reservation-police 

• https://time.com/5806518/covid-19-scams/ 

• https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/19/20/beware-of-online-scams-during-covid-19-lockdown-philippines-urges-public

Eastern Communications extends payment term, supports businesses with work from home and internet solutions

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Eastern Communications, one of the premier telecommunications companies in the country, announces the extension of deadline for payments of its clients in light of the government’s implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to the threat of COVID-19 outbreak.

Customers are given 30 days after their due date to pay their bills. 

Eastern Communications ensure the safety and well-being of their employees, partners, and customers. While the company is on work from home arrangement, it will continuously provide Eastern’s brand of quality service through conference calls.

Meanwhile, Eastern Communications has maintained a skeletal workforce to deliver service to their existing essential clients such as hospitals, government agencies, and other entities addressing the COVID-19 situation. 

Collaborate with Work from Home tools 

In support of work from home implementation of many companies, Eastern Communications will also provide cost-efficient and reliable ICT solutions such as Office 365 and Eastern Cloud to improve business continuity amid the pandemic. 

Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription to a suite of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. which is crucial for businesses to achieve productivity and collaboration while implementing work from home set-up. Existing clients will be guided by Eastern Communications on how to utilize the said program through sending series of educational information. 

Eastern Communications will also educate its clients on using Eastern Cloud service to help businesses run critical applications online and share company data while on remote work. 

Boost workplace connectivity and security

Eastern Communications’ existing Fiber1 clients in Metro Manila and Cebu, particularly banks, hospitals, and other essential establishments, will be offered speed boost and free three (3) pieces of Wi-Fi Mesh. This device spreads a network connection across the workplace which allows users to connect to the Internet wherever they are in the premises. Wi-Fi Mesh eliminates dead spots in every corner and have been used in small to medium paces such as multi-story buildings. 

Hospitals that utilize Eastern Communications’ Internet Direct Service will also expect 30% cost reduction plus free Office 365 under the special renewal program. 

Lastly, clients will be guided on securing online business from cyberattacks with Eastern’s Web Protection that includes Internet firewall, web security, remote access, and cloud access, helping enterprises work efficiently at this time. 

“We understand the difficulty that our fellow citizens are experiencing right now. We, at Eastern Communications are committed to extending support and guidance to our clients in essential establishments and other companies in this challenging time,” said Eastern Communications Marketing Director Jedrek Estanislao.

Eastern Communications monitors the situation closely and commits to maintain normal business operations until the situation improves. 

For more information, visit eastern.com.ph. 

#OneAgainstCOVID19: Donate to Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, Caritas Manila, Oxfam Pilipinas, and others through PayMaya

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Now you can donate to various charitable foundations and humanitarian agencies mobilizing relief and response efforts against COVID-19 through PayMaya's digital payments platform. The one-stop digital donation facility that can be accessed online or in-app is part of #OneAgainstCOVID19 drive that PayMaya launched with various partners to help raise funds for frontliners and the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic. 

“In this time of great and urgent need, coming together in the traditional spirit of bayanihan becomes ever more important so that no one gets left behind. This #OneAgainstCOVID19 harnesses the power of collaboration and digital payments as we fight this global pandemic,” said PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea. 

By visiting the #OneAgainstCOVID19 page in the PayMaya website (http://donate.paymaya.com) or going to the Pay Bills section of the PayMaya app, Filipinos can choose from a variety of charitable organizations to support with causes that range from providing medical front liners with meals and personal protective equipment to giving relief and medical packages to communities, among many others. Recipient beneficiaries, meanwhile, will be able to receive the donations through PayMaya's platforms.

Anyone from around the world can go to the #OneAgainstCOVID19 website and donate using their credit, debit, or prepaid card. This means that even overseas Filipinos can pitch in for the various efforts. Online donation acceptance using a Philippine mobile number with a PayMaya account through Pay with PayMaya is also available. For PayMaya account holders, donating via the Pay Bills section of the PayMaya app or by scanning a partner's PayMaya QR online is the fastest way to support #OneAgainstCOVID19 causes. 

Partner organizations raising funds through the platform include the Philippine Red Cross, which is seeking donations for different aid packages that will be given to medical front liners and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNICEF, on the other hand, is calling for donations to provide critical, medical and sanitation supplies for health facilities, as well as educating children and families on proper handwashing, providing parents with home-based educational activities for children and psychosocial support through counselling.

For Oxfam Pilipinas, proceeds will go to helping ensure that poor families have access to water, sanitation and hygiene items to protect their health, and help them recover from the effects of COVID-19—particularly those who lost their livelihood or income during the community quarantine period.

Caritas Manila is calling for cash donations to provide Caritas LIGTAS COVID-19 kits and Caritas Manna food bags to poor communities, families, and the elderly in Metro Manila, who are the most vulnerable during these difficult times.

Other #OneAgainstCOVID19 partner organizations that Filipinos can choose to donate to include the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, TV5's Alagang Kapatid Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and #nowheretogobutUP, among others.

One big effort vs. COVID-19 

In launching the effort, PayMaya underscored the need for a multi-sectoral, concerted push that will help support the various front liners in the effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease, as well as alleviate the plight of those living in vulnerable communities. As it makes its digital financial platforms available for the #OneAgainstCOVID19 advocacy campaign, PayMaya is working with its partner merchants, Smart Padala agents, and employees to campaign for the cause. 

Donate via online, mobile 

To donate via the #OneAgainstCOVID19 web page, simply follow these steps: 

Go to http://donate.paymaya.com

Choose the specific organization or cause that you want to donate to 

Choose the donation amount or package of your choice, then click ‘Add to Cart’ 

Review your cart or donate to other organizations as well, then click ‘Check Out’ 

Fill in the needed information, then click ‘Continue to Payment’. 

Review the details you entered, then click ‘Complete Order’ to be redirected to the secure payment page

Enter your card or PayMaya details in the fields provided, then click ‘Pay Now’ 

You will receive a confirmation of your donation via email or SMS, depending on the payment method 

To donate using the PayMaya app, follow these steps: 

Log in to your PayMaya account

Click the ‘Pay Bills’ button 

Choose from among the organizations with the hashtag #OneAgainstCOVID19 you want to donate to 

In the Account Number field, enter ‘00000’ 

In the Amount field, enter the amount you want to donate 

Once done, click continue. Review the information you have entered, then click ‘Pay’ 

You will receive an SMS in your mobile phone regarding the donation 

Donations collected via these #OneAgainstCOVID19 channels will be received by PayMaya and remitted to their respective recipient organizations. 

To know more about this initiative, visit http://donate.paymaya.com. [END]

Globe postpaid customers may suspend their monthly spending limit

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Globe is giving its Postpaid and Platinum customers an option to suspend their monthly spending limit. This is in response to the surge in demand for voice and mobile data, as work and study from home arrangements are implemented in Luzon and other parts of the country.

“We understand how our customers’ current situation requires high reliance on continuous mobile services such as voice and data especially among those who need to work or study at home because of the enhanced community quarantine.  We would like to help our postpaid customers stay connected by providing them with a way to suspend their spending limit as these times may call for it,” said Rebecca Eclipse, Globe Chief Customer Experience Officer.

Spending limit is a special feature that helps customers take better control of their postpaid spending. It is the maximum amount that can be used for  services when one has exceeded the monthly plan, in order to stay within budget and avoid bill shock. Customers will be sent a text message with instructions on how to suspend their spending limit to help cope with the increase in connectivity needs during this period.

Aside from this, Globe has provided a 30-day bill payment extension to all mobile postpaid customers. To help manage and monitor their usage, customers will still continue to receive billing notifications. 

To reduce physical contact and help protect customers, Globe has also temporarily stopped sending printed billing statements and will instead send the latest bill via SMS or text message. 

Customers may download and use the GlobeOne app and Globe At Home app to make it easy to track down data usage and subscribe to offers. Connectivity is essential at this time and Globe is continuing efforts in coming up with measures to empower its customers in the security and safety of their homes. 

For more information on spending limit and how to suspend it, please visit https://www.globe.com.ph/help/postpaid/spending-limit.html 

GCash says fintech could help facilitate fund transfers amid national emergency due to Covid-19

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With restricted mobility and limited options due to the enhanced community quarantine of the whole island of Luzon and local lockdowns of other cities and provinces, Filipinos may opt to send and receive money to and from their loved ones via their mobile phones. 

Aside from mobile wallets being more convenient -- as anyone with a mobile digital finance account could transfer money anytime and anywhere -- the use of financial technology for fund transfers also supports the government’s initiative of keeping people in their homes. 

The government has declared the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a national health emergency, with various national and local government units implementing strict home quarantine procedures to stop the further transmission of the deadly virus.

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, emphasized that Filipinos should leverage a financial ecosystem that allows them to do more with less, especially during emergencies. 

“We highly encourage the use of fintech platforms for both individuals and businesses to complement the initiatives of both the government and the private sector. We at GCash vow to facilitate the swift and reliable transfer of money from one mobile account to another in support of the collaborative efforts to fight COVID-19,” GCash President Anthony Thomas said. 

Through their GCash apps, users may send money to other GCash users or even account holders of other bank accounts and financial institutions.

Express Send, found under the Send Money Tile, allows GCash users to send money to another GCash account in real time and for free. They may also include a short message to the receiver when using this feature. 

Aside from withdrawing cash from their digital wallets, GCash account holders may use their funds to transact either online or offline. This further reduces the need for GCash users to go out and handle cash during the enhanced community quarantine.

Meanwhile, GCash account holders may also transfer funds to almost 40 banks and other financial institutions through the Bank Transfer feature. GCash users simply have to select the bank of the receiver, input the receiver’s details and the amount to be sent, and click send. This service is for free and bank transfer is real time.

Banks and traditional remittance centers charge fees for transferring funds. Some could go as high as P500. 

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno already sought the cooperation of banks and other financial institutions in giving relief to those using banking services during the heightened national emergency. 

“We strongly encourage our supervised financial institutions to temporarily suspend all fees and charges imposed on the use of online banking platforms or electronic money, including those imposed on the use of Instapay or PesoNet electronic fund transfer. This will enable the general public to facilitate banking transactions during the Covid-19 situation,” Diokno was quoted as saying. 

Sending and receiving money via GCash -- whether peer-to-peer or interbank -- have always been free since day one. 

“For more than a decade now, GCash fund transfer services have always remained free. We remain committed to ensuring that our services directly make an impact on the lives of many Filipinos by providing them with low-cost, efficient, and reliable financial services just like fund transfers,” Thomas said. 

Aside from leveraging fintech to transfer funds, GCash also encourages Filipinos to help #FightCOVID19 by joining the digital donation drive that it launched in the GCash app. Through this, anyone with a GCash account can help support frontline health workers. To donate, GCash users simply have to click on the “Pay Bills” icon, choose “Others,” click on the “FightCOVID19” option, and then input the amount that they would like to donate before hitting send.