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vivo V80 opens pre-orders, offers up to P2-K discount and more

vivo Philippines has opened pre-orders for the vivo V80 at physical stores nationwide, through the vivo e-store and via the vivo Store app, with prices starting at Php 42,999 and exclusive offers available until November 13, 2026.

Designed for a generation that enjoys capturing memorable moments, expressing personal style, and customizing their devices, the smartphone combines ZEISS co-engineered portrait cameras, a distinctive glass design, and personalized features powered by OriginOS 7.

The vivo V80 is available in two configurations: 8GB RAM with 128GB storage for Php 42,999 and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage for Php 47,999.

Customers who pre-order within the promotional period can enjoy the following perks:

Php 2,000 discount,

limited-edition vivo Buds Air3 worth Php 1,799,

Gold vivo membership privileges,

six months of broken-screen insurance and warranty, and

six months of 100GB Google One cloud storage for new users.

Meanwhile, here are the top three things you need to know about the vivo V80.

ZEISS portrait photography for every creative moment

Co-engineered with ZEISS, the vivo V80 features a 50-megapixel ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera and ZEISS 85mm and 100mm Center-Stage Portrait options, giving users versatile ways to frame their subjects and capture portraits with detail and depth. The different focal lengths also provide creative options for photographing people in lively environments while keeping the subject in focus.

The smartphone expands these creative possibilities with AI Creative Camera features, including studio-inspired lighting effects and Creative Sticker Collage, which lets users transform people, pets, and selected photos into movable stickers. CCD Flash Portrait adds a nostalgic, film-inspired aesthetic, giving users more ways to personalize their images and share their favorite moments.

A distinctive design inspired by the stars

The vivo V80 combines cold-carved glass, an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, and smoothly contoured edges for a refined appearance and comfortable grip.

Its Starwish Purple finish features Laser Holographic Lithography, creating a three-dimensional, galaxy-inspired effect that shifts with light. The result is a design that brings together craftsmanship and personal expression, allowing the device to complement different styles and everyday occasions.

Meanwhile, the vivo V80 is also available in Wander Green, featuring refined low-saturation tones that shift gracefully with light.

OriginOS 7 brings personality to everyday interactions

With OriginOS 7, the vivo V80 gives users more ways to make their smartphone experience their own through four customizable themes.

Wiggle features motion-responsive wallpapers, Pet Pals introduces interactive pet elements, Glint adds shimmering visual effects, and StickIt brings customizable stickers into different parts of the system. These features let users personalize their screens and everyday interactions to reflect their interests, moods, and individual styles.

‘Smartphones have become an important part of how people express themselves, preserve memories, and connect with others. With the vivo V80, we want to give users more opportunities to explore their creativity through ZEISS portrait photography, AI-powered features, and a personalized interface that reflects who they are,’ said Liu Lu, vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director.

Flexible payment options

For customers who prefer installment payments, Home Credit offers the vivo V80 for as low as Php 85 per day over 18 months. Buyers can also receive an additional Php 500 discount voucher by using the code V80HC500.

Customers can pre-order the vivo V80 at vivo physical stores nationwide, through the vivo e-store, and via the vivo Store app until November 13, 2026.

With its ZEISS imaging capabilities, expressive design, and customizable interface, the vivo V80 brings together the tools to capture favorite moments, explore creative possibilities, and make every detail feel personal.

Retail competition, rooftop solar can offer relief on power costs for businesses – AboitizPower

At the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) encouraged businesses to take advantage of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program and rooftop solar to help lower their power bills.

Speaking during a panel discussion, AboitizPower Chief Corporate Services Officer Carlos Aboitiz spoke in the context of tight supply conditions and the war in Iran, citing both as added pressures to the utility costs of businesses.

‘There are a couple of things that businesses can think to do today to try to seek relief on the power rates side and lower their cost structures. The [Energy Regulatory Commission] is increasingly lowering the threshold for when businesses can source their power directly from retail electricity suppliers,’ he said.

Beginning June 26, 2026, the eligibility threshold for RCOA was lowered from 500 kilowatts to just 100. AboitizPower is in the retail electricity supply space through wholly-owned subsidiary AdventEnergy.

‘So that means [those] who have smaller businesses, who have in the past been limited to distribution utilities, you can now increasingly have the option to source directly from power companies who could provide lower cost of power,’ he explained.

Aboitiz also raised installing rooftop solar as another option to minimize energy expenditure, adding that AboitizPower-backed Solviva Energy was the result of the company seeing the value of decentralizing energy.

‘Rooftop solar and batteries are increasingly proliferating in the distributed energy space and costs are coming down. They’re very competitive. Your payback periods are somewhere in the range of 3-5 years at the moment, depending on what you’re investing in,’ he said.

In the same event, Aboitiz also advised the audience to keep an open mind on the long-term possibility of deploying nuclear energy into the Philippine grid.

‘I think we need to dare to be bold, especially in a time of challenge like we’re in today. An example of this in the energy sector is the idea of nuclear energy,’ he said. ‘The Department of Energy and the national government today is daring to be bold with nuclear, and I think that the private sector is coming around to that.’

Aboitiz added that there are ‘a lot of possibilities’ for the country to improve its energy future by investing in things like distributed energy and nuclear energy. While it seems out of reach today, Aboitiz believes that ‘it can be done’ by working together, drawing on Filipino nuclear engineers currently working abroad, tapping into private capital, and maximizing government support.

‘We have to find a way to look past the cynicism and dare to be bold as leaders in order to unlock new possibilities. There’s a lot of potential in this country but it’s hard to see that when things are so tough right now,’ he said.

Last July, AboitizPower signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. in Gyeongju, South Korea to explore cooperation on nuclear energy technologies and their potential applicability in the Philippines. Under the MOU, the two companies agreed to pursue joint pre-feasibility studies, information sharing, and capacity-building activities related to nuclear technologies.

‘In the long term, the sector needs to work harder together to find ways to bring down the cost of power and to ensure the reliability of the system, while at the same time try to decarbonize our sector,’ Aboitiz said.

‘It’s not an easy thing to do. We have many islands that we need to connect. We have many challenges, from government [permitting] to land acquisition, [among] others that need to be hurdled.’

NAFDAC destroys N8bn fake, unwholesome products in North Central

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unwholesome, banned, fake and adulterated products worth N8 billion confiscated in the course of its operations in the North Central Zone.

The destruction exercise was carried out on Thursday during the North Central Zonal Destruction of NAFDAC regulated products in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC represented by the Joseph Edor, the Deputy Director in charge of North Central Zone said the bulk of the destroyed products were predominantly banned alcoholic beverages in low volumes of less than 200ml (20cl).

Adeyeye explained that studies by researchers had shown that due to the availability, affordability and portability of such pack sizes, they had become major products of abuse and addiction among Nigerians, especially youths and underage school children.

She noted that research had also shown that early exposure to alcohol affects the brain and other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, stymies the brain resulting in mental retardation and brain damage, which in turn leads to poor performance of pupils and students in school, low productivity and several illnesses.

She said, ‘It was based on these abuses, addiction and adverse effects that the Agency banned the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET and glass bottles below 200ml, hence the raid and confiscation from manufacturing outfits, sales outlets, markets and motor parks.’

Other products destroyed include expired, fake and unwholesome food, drugs and cosmetics confiscated during daily operations.

The NAFDAC DG said the Agency has the mandate of protecting and promoting public health by ensuring that only the right quality, safe and efficacious drugs, food, cosmetics, medical devices, water and other regulated products are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised or used in Nigeria.

She said in order to achieve the mandate, the Agency through its officers carries out inspections, investigations, enforcement, product registration and laboratory analysis.

The DG appreciated other law enforcement organisations, sister agencies, associations and stakeholders for their continuous collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing and security cover during operations.

EFCC hands over N1.05bn recovered funds to 659 disengaged teachers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N1.05 billion recovered funds to 659 disengaged teachers of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board.

This, followed an investigation into the alleged misapplication of their outstanding entitlements.

The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the commission presented a bank draft valued at N1,054,919,532.61 to the beneficiaries, who were disengaged under Batch D1 of the state’s post-primary education system.

The recovery followed a petition submitted to the EFCC in 2024 by Abraham B. Song, who alleged that the affected teachers were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 and served for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state.

According to the petitioner, the state government declared their appointments illegal in 2014, prompting the affected staff to institute legal proceedings before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Yola Judicial Division, sitting in Jos.

The court subsequently ordered the Adamawa State Government to pay the teachers their outstanding entitlements.

However, the alleged failure of the state government to comply with the court’s order led to garnishee proceedings against its accounts.

EFCC said it received intelligence indicating a potential risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds.

The commission consequently took steps to preserve the money pending the conclusion of its investigation, which eventually facilitated the recovery and return of the funds to the affected teachers.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Austine Adache, Acting Zonal Director of the Gombe Directorate and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to accountability, justice and the restitution of recovered funds to their rightful beneficiaries.

Adache said the commission remained committed to ensuring that victims of financial misconduct received appropriate redress in accordance with the law.

Receiving the bank draft, Luka Haruna, expressed appreciation to the commission for its investigation and efforts towards recovering the funds.

Haruna said he had consistently maintained confidence in the EFCC’s capacity to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

Similarly, Song, commended the commission for its intervention, noting that the recovered money would significantly alleviate the financial losses and hardship suffered by the affected staff.

The EFCC said the recovery and subsequent handover underscored its commitment to protecting victims of financial wrongdoing and ensuring that recovered proceeds were returned to their rightful owners.

The commission described the handover as a significant milestone for the affected teachers, who had pursued the payment of their entitlements for several years.

It also highlighted the importance of effective investigation and inter-agency engagement in the recovery and restitution of funds.

Casino Plus makes history with Evolution’s first-ever offline collaboration in the Philippines

Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has made history as the first operator to stage an offline collaboration with Evolution in the Philippines, taking a partnership built online over nearly five years into a live setting for the first time.

Casino Plus hosted the historic, invitation-only event on October 30 at Dusit Thani, Makati City, Philippines, where Casino Plus players received an exclusive preview of Game Night, Evolution’s newest live casino game show, ahead of its commercial release. The evening also included an awarding ceremony led by Cristina Hsia, Evolution’s Country Manager for the Philippines, alongside the Casino Plus CEO.

‘This is a historic first for Casino Plus and for the Philippine market,’ said Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma.’Evolution’s decision to bring its first-ever offline collaboration in the country to Casino Plus reflects years of consistent work under PAGCOR’s regulatory framework. For our players, it is assurance that the platform they use every day is held to the standards of one of the most established names in live casino. For the industry, it shows what a regulated Philippine operator and a global supplier can build together.’

Casino Plus began its partnership with Evolution in November 2021 with slot games and expanded its online casino offerings to include Evolution’s live casino portfolio in May 2023. Evolution, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and active in regulated markets worldwide, conducts due diligence before entering customer relationships and continues to evaluate partners over time.

Gionata La Torre, Evolution CEO Asia, described Casino Plus as the company’s ‘trusted partner in the regulated Philippine market’ and ‘the natural choice’ for its first offline engagement in the country.

‘We value their reliability, how they run their platform, and their commitment to responsible gaming and the player experience,’ La Torre said. ‘Our decision to work with Casino Plus on this milestone reflects the trust we have built in the relationship and the standards we have seen through our years of working together.’

Spytma said the partnership was earned through conduct rather than claims. ‘Trust is not something we announce. It is something partners like Evolution see in how we operate every day, under PAGCOR’s rules,’ he said. ‘Integrity is the foundation of everything we build, and this collaboration is what that looks like from the outside.’

A regulated operator with international reach

The collaboration adds an international proof point to the compliance record Casino Plus has built under PAGCOR, including Know Your Customer verification, anti-money laundering controls and a ?1-billion PhilFirst Surety Bond Protection Program for qualified player funds launched in December 2025.

It also places Casino Plus at the centre of Evolution’s growing Philippine presence. The supplier opened its first live casino studio in Asia, in Cebu, in 2025, and La Torre said the country is ‘a key part of our growth in Asia.’

Casino Plus and Evolution described the event as the beginning of a longer-term partnership, with plans to continue developing new gaming experiences for Filipino players. ‘Our biggest goal is to keep building our relationship over time and create experiences that matter to Filipino players,’ La Torre said.

‘A historic first only matters if it leads somewhere. Game Night is the first chapter, not the last,’ Spytma said. ‘This is a milestone for the regulated Philippine market as much as for Casino Plus. It shows global suppliers that licensed local operators are ready to build world class experiences with them.’

What it means for Casino Plus players

Casino Plus players were the first in the country to see Game Night, which adapts the format of a classic games night into a live casino game show. It is built around a 54-segment money wheel, with multipliers on every spin and five bonus games: Connect 4, Battleship, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Snakes and Ladders, and Rock Paper Scissors.

Evolution said it plans, where possible, to offer Casino Plus players early access to selected new Evolution games, alongside continued joint online and offline campaigns in the Philippines.

‘Our mission is to bring fun to people, and to do it responsibly,’ Spytma said. ‘Taking Evolution’s games off the screen and into the room for our players is that mission at its best. They deserve experiences built to global standards, and that is what we intend to keep delivering.’

‘For Evolution, partnering with Casino Plus means taking a relationship we have built over several years and bringing it to life in a new way for Filipino players,’ La Torre said. ‘We share a focus on quality, innovation, responsible gaming and the player experience.’

Casino Plus began its partnership with Evolution in November 2021 with slot games and expanded its online casino offerings to include Evolution’s live casino portfolio in May 2023.

Villaflor, Amora punch tickets to round of eight

National University’s Clarence Villaflor opened his bid for the inaugural University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s badminton singles title with a 21-8, 21-4 win over University of the Philippines’ Josh Dupet in the Round of 16 on Friday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

Villaflor, bronze medalist in the 2026 Azerbaijan International Challenge, needed just 24 minutes to defeat the Fighting Maroons co-captain.

The NU shuttler will face La Salle’s Lovic Javier in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Adamson University’s Steveric Muring and John Vincent Saturinas also advanced, defeating University of Santo Tomas’ Ivan Tuazon, 21-10, 21-10, and Clark Brillantes, 21-12, 21-17, respectively.

Muring will face UP skipper Shan Clar, while Saturinas takes on Ateneo’s Lance Vargas.

Ateneo’s Zeth Quiambao advanced with a 21-15, 21-15 win over La Salle’s Joshua Cuarte and will meet NU captain Lanz Zafra, who received a first-round bye.

In doubles play, NU’s MJ Perez and Jacinth Paul Ruedas defeated UST’s John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera, 21-17, 21-18, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with La Salle’s Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban.

NU’s Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam scored a 21-18, 21-12 win over La Salle’s Rey Nier Dalimo-Os and AJ Lorenz Jurada to advance against Ateneo rookies Wijel Albo and Rolan De Guzman.

Ateneo’s Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos defeated UP’s JM Amerodin and Joshua Martinez, 21-12, 21-12, to arrange a quarterfinal clash with Adamson’s Prince Betaisar and Jasper Manlangit.

UP’s Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza averted a shutout with a 21-18, 21-15 win over UST’s Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor. They will face Adamson’s John Paul Badang and Eur Cabanducos.

Amora, Fuggan march on

National University’s Sab Amora advanced to the women’s singles quarterfinals with a 21-16, 21-11 victory over Ateneo’s Jochelle Alvarez.

Amora will face La Salle’s Lady Tuario in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

University of the Philippines’ Brys Fuggan defeated NU’s Karyll Rio, 21-18, 21-15, and will next meet Ateneo captain Althea Ocampo.

UP’s Anthea Gonzalez swept Adamson University’s Abby Barcelona, 21-16, 21-14, to arrange a quarterfinal clash with UST’s Angelica Racca.

Adamson rookie Roshella Quierez defeated DLSU’s Kim Lagare, 21-10, 21-12, and will face UST’s Angel Vitangcol in the next round.

In women’s doubles, UP seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos defeated Adamson’s Camille Buagas and Jennifer Ondol, 21-12, 21-16. They will face UST’s Marielle Alvarez and Harlene Herbabuena in the quarterfinals.

Adamson rookies Mary Destiny Untal and Jasmine Reformina also advanced with a 21-8, 21-11 win over DLSU’s Ghiselle Bautista and Erin Vitangcol. They will meet NU’s Tia Bualat and Lee-Anne De Leon.

billboards do the job socmed

Ateneo also secured two women’s doubles quarterfinal spots. Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle defeated DLSU’s Alphecca Espe and Venice Salapong, 21-8, 21-16, to set up a meeting with NU’s Naeomi Gulpany and Harlene Diaz.

Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez beat UST’s Hanie De Jesus and Christine Dorega, 21-15, 21-11, and will face UP’s Pat and Krissa De Leon.

SM Active welcomes every Filipino to an active lifestyle at SM Supermalls

Building on decades of investments in sports, recreation and wellness. SM Active brings together communities, partners and facilities to make active living more accessible, inclusive, and part of everyday life.

For years, SM Supermalls has brought sports and wellness closer to every Filipino through its facilities, tournaments, and community events. As more Filipinos embrace an active lifestyle, SM Supermalls is broadening its quest of providing more opportunities and spaces to stay fit. SM Supermalls is opening a new chapter by bringing its efforts together under one brand: SM Active.

Evolving from SM Active Hub, SM Active is SM Supermalls’ broader vision to make active living part of everyday life for more Filipinos. Through SM Active, individuals and communities will experience a more integrated active ecosystem, making their experiences more meaningful and memorable.

Operating within the SM Ecosystem, SM Active brings together its facilities, sports and wellness offerings, and corporate partners. By leveraging SM Supermalls’ vast network, SM Active creates more opportunities to keep active and build stronger connections.

‘For over 30 years, SM has invested in spaces and experiences that encourage Filipinos to move, play, and connect. Through SM Active, we are bringing these strengths together under one brand with a simple goal: to make active living more accessible, inclusive, and part of everyday life for communities across the country. As we continue to grow our ecosystem of facilities, partners, and programs, SM Active aims to become every Filipino’s gateway to a healthier and more active lifestyle,’ said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President.

Through SM Active, SM Supermalls is looking to bring more communities together by leveraging its nationwide footprint, deep partnerships, and quality facilities nationwide. SM Active is more than just a wellness initiative. It is SM Supermalls’ long-term pledge to empower more Filipinos to stay active and healthy.

Whether you’re just starting an active lifestyle or looking to level up, SM Active offers a wide range of facilities and events to keep you moving. With the country’s largest network of mall-based sports and active living facilities, SM Active features 108 pickleball courts, 176 bowling lanes, three ice skating rinks, expanding jogging paths, and more developments underway. Beyond providing spaces to play, SM Active brings communities together through regular events and transforms open areas into vibrant spaces for sports, fitness and wellness.

Together, these offerings have made it easier for newbies, enthusiasts, and experienced athletes to find activities that match their interests. SM Active elevates this experience by uniting the country’s most comprehensive network under one unified brand.

‘SM Supermalls believes that active living should be accessible to everyone. This has been part of our core mission ever since. With SM Active, we are unifying all our programs, experiences, and facilities to reaffirm our commitment to making active living a part of everyday life,’ said Tan.

Binance hit by $6.3bn security breach in biggest cryptocurrency heist

Binance, Cryptocurrency exchange, has suffered a security breach with an estimated $6.3 billion impact, in what TRM Labs, blockchain intelligence firm, describes as the largest cryptocurrency theft in history.

The incident, which occurred on October 29, involved the movement of approximately $6.36 billion from Binance-controlled wallets across 10 blockchain networks, according to TRM Labs.

The development has raised fresh concerns about cybersecurity risks facing centralised cryptocurrency exchanges and the protection of digital assets.

In a security update published on October 30, Binance said preliminary investigations suggested that an attacker gained access to its internal systems through a compromised laptop belonging to a DevOps engineer.

The attacker allegedly used the access to enter a service container and submit unauthorised withdrawal transactions.

The exchange said it had found no evidence that wallet private keys were leaked, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the breach.

As an immediate response, Binance temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals while its security teams worked to contain the incident.

It also revoked authorisation for affected addresses and engaged law enforcement agencies, blockchain intelligence firms and industry partners to trace and recover the assets.

Binance said approximately $3 billion in affected assets had been frozen on-chain through collaboration with blockchain partners.

The exchange also assured customers that their funds remained safe and pledged to cover all losses through its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) and company reserves.

The scale of the incident has attracted attention from cybersecurity researchers, with TRM Labs attributing the attack, with high confidence, to TraderTraitor, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group associated with previous major cryptocurrency thefts.

In its assessment published on October 29, TRM Labs said its attribution was based on on-chain and off-chain intelligence. The firm traced the movement of funds across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Tron, Solana and the XRP Ledger.

The reported breach would surpass the $1.5 billion Bybit cryptocurrency exchange hack in February 2025, which was also attributed to North Korean-linked hackers, making the Binance incident the largest recorded cryptocurrency theft if the current estimates are confirmed.

The attack has also unsettled cryptocurrency markets. Bitcoin fell by more than 3 per cent following reports of the breach, while Ether and other digital assets also recorded declines as investors reacted to concerns about exchange security.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the cryptocurrency industry, where exchanges remain important custodians and trading platforms for billions of dollars in digital assets.

Binance said it would publish a detailed technical post-mortem after completing its investigation and remediation efforts. The company also plans to provide an updated proof of reserves following the security review.

Oil set for fourth monthly gain as Hormuz tanker attack highlights supply risks

Oil prices rose on Friday and were on track for a fourth monthly gain ?as traders braced for a potential escalation in the US-Iran conflict after the US midterm elections, with an attack on a tanker in the of Hormuz highlighting supply risks from the war.

Brent crude futures for December , which expire on Friday, were up $2.26, or 2%, at $117.14 a barrel as of 1236 GMT. The more active January contract gained $2.30 to $113.10.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed $1.94, or 1.9%, to $103.94.

For the month, Brent was on course to finish 13% higher, while WTI was heading for ?a 15% jump.

‘The oil market is getting increasingly spooked as we approach the midterms,’ said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo ?Bank. Some investors and analysts are expecting another resumption of US attacks on Iran after the elections, he said.

On Friday, a ?tanker in the Strait of Hormuz – the key sea outlet for Gulf crude and fuel supplies – was hit by explosive devices attached by a small boat, ?the UKMTO said. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.

It was the first known successful strike using limpet mines, explosives which are attached ?to a ship’s hull by a small boat, in the waterway since the US war with Iran began in February, maritime sources said.

‘Continued kinetic action around the Strait of Hormuz amidst doubts of a viable diplomatic pathway are keeping oil prices elevated in expectation of an escalation of the conflict in coming weeks,’ said Saul Kavonic, head of energy research ?at MST Marquee.

GCash reminds users to stay vigilant vs scams ahead of All Saints Day

Stay protected this Undas: Enable in-app OTP, avail of Scam Protection Insurance for upgraded account security and protection, and manage your account with the GCash Security Center.

As millions of Filipinos prepare to travel to their respective provinces for All Saints Day, GCash is urging the public to stay alert against online scams and fraud that can exploit the travel rush, distractions, and last-minute arrangements during the occasion.

‘The safety of our users remains top priority. GCash continues to strengthen its systems and empower users to recognize and avoid scams, especially during peak travel periods.’ said Miguel Geronilla, GCash Chief Information Security Officer.

With increased activity during the holidays, scammers often take advantage of

users through fraudulent promos and deceptive messages. GCash shares tell-tale signs of the most common scams to watch out for:

Spoofing

Links sent via SMS or messenger apps may lead to fake websites designed to steal login credentials. Malicious QR codes can also redirect users to fraudulent payment portals. During Undas, when messaging activity surges, even seemingly authentic messages can hide these threats. Users are advised to be extra vigilant.

Thread hijacking

Authorities have reported scam messages appearing inside legitimate SMS conversation threads, making them look authentic. This tactic underscores why users should never trust a sender’s name alone. Always double-check and verify before sending money or payments.

Activate In-app OTP

Fraudsters may pose as GCash agents offering ‘account verification’ or ‘cashback.’ GCash will never ask for your MPIN, OTP, or personal details. For added protection, users are encouraged to turn on in-app OTP, which generates one-time passwords directly inside the GCash app instead of relying on SMS.

Remember: GCash will never send links via SMS, email, or chat apps. Only transact through the official GCash app or verified GCash channels on Facebook and Messenger.

Take charge of your account security with GCash Security Center

The new in-app GCash Security Center gives users direct control over protecting their accounts, funds, and transactions against scams, fraud, and unauthorized access. The centralized hub also features user-controlled safeguards: Lock My Account, which allows users to immediately freeze their accounts and block outgoing transactions even if their phones are lost or compromised; Money Lock via GSave, which secures funds by separating them from money available for everyday transactions; and Subscription Center, which enables users to review and disconnect merchants or apps linked to their accounts to prevent unwanted future payments.

Take advantage of scam protection insurance

Because fraudsters attempt to exploit users’ vulnerabilities, GCash users can add another layer of financial protection by availing of Scam Protection Insurance through GInsure. Underwritten by CHUBB Philippines, policy coverage is up to ?15,000 for eligible losses arising from covered scams, including social engineering, account takeover, and online shopping fraud. For as low as ?20 per month with the new auto-renew feature, eligible users can gain added peace of mind with additional financial protection against covered fraudulent transactions, subject to policy terms and conditions. Because GInsure Scam Protection Insurance is an insurance policy, money lost to covered scam incidents is paid by the insurance underwriter, and not taken from the GCash wallet of the recipient.

Report and stay informed

If you think you’ve received a spoofed message or encountered a phishing attempt, immediately report it through the Help Center in the GCash app. The GCash security teams continuously monitor and act on reported scams to protect users.

GCash users may also report suspected fraudulent activities to the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com by messaging Gigi, ‘I want to report a scam.’ Customers can also contact the official GCash hotline at 2882 for inquiries and other concerns.

By staying informed and alert, travelers can protect themselves from fraud and focus on spending time with their families this Undas.