PNP, GCash sheds light on website safety
Leading mobile wallet shares tips on how to distinguish legitimate from fake websites
Websites have become essential in daily economic activities. We visit government websites to pay permits and contributions, e-commerce websites for purchases and entertainment websites for subscriptions, to name a few. Unfortunately, they have also become a favorite target of scammers, fraudsters, and cyber-criminals.
To help users protect themselves online, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the country’s leading mobile wallet GCash share vital information on how to distinguish legitimate websites from fake ones used by scammers.
“The most obvious is to check the URL of the website. A red flag is if the URL does not begin with “HTTPS”, where “S” at the end stands for secure. The “S” indicates that the site uses a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate, which helps protect your information. Another way this is shown on the latest version of web browsers is with the lock icon in the web browser’s address bar. This is the visual way to indicate that the website begins with “HTTPS,” advises PNP-ACG spokesperson Michelle Sabino.
GCash chief technology and operating officer Pebbles Sy cites another fundamental way to protect users. “Keep your web browser up-to-date all the time. The latest versions of web browsers often include sophisticated filters that warn you if a website is potentially unsafe. Also, consider using browser extensions specifically designed to identify unsafe elements on websites. These extensions can provide an additional layer of protection by flagging any suspicious or potentially harmful content. They can help you make informed decisions about whether to proceed with certain websites or not,” adds Sy.
The PNP-ACG and GCash also advise exercising caution against links sent via email or text messages. Another way to tell fake sites from real ones is if the website is suspiciously different from the home page of reputable websites. Malicious websites often try to imitate legitimate websites but have inconsistencies or poor-quality design.
“The best way is to trust your instincts and be skeptical if something doesn't feel right,” adds Sabino.
Reputable search engines can be used to see relevant discussions or warnings from other users against a website. This can provide valuable insights and help you make a more informed decision.
The PNP ACG has opened its hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph. The law enforcement agency encourages everyone to report incidents of scams, fraud, and cybercrime.
Users can also visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com or message Gigi on the website and type “I want to report a scam.” Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline at 2882 for inquiries and other concerns.
About Mynt
Mynt is the parent company of GCash, the #1 Finance Super App in the Philippines. It’s the first and only fintech company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the “GCASH” ticker symbol. Through GCash, Mynt advances its vision of 'Finance for All' by making financial services more accessible to Filipinos. Mynt operates a portfolio of companies, including G-Xchange, Inc., the payments company responsible for the digital payments and electronic money activities in the GCash app, and Fuse Financing, Inc., the financing company for GCash that provides fair and digitally-enabled credit products and solutions.
Mynt, through its fintech operations, is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.
Mynt and GCash are staunch supporters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
For more information, please contact:
Bruce Rodriguez, Head of Business Communications
Corporate Communications
