CICC, GCash utilize 'joint reporting system' for quick response to online scams
By Sonny Daanoy
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), on Wednesday, Feb. 21, disclosed its partnership with the digital wallet company GCash to ensure a prompt response to online scams.

"We have a joint reporting system where they (GCash) can see what is being reported to us," CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos said in a mix of English and Filipino during a Teleradyo Serbisyo interview.
"If someone contacts them, they quickly share with us how we can also directly assist the person who filed the complaint," he added.
In this way, both CICC and GCash will have almost real-time data sharing, enabling a swift response to public scam complaints.
The CICC urged the public to promptly report scams, especially those involving GCash as a money transferring platform.
This way, GCash can quickly freeze the account, preventing the unauthorized cashing out or transfer to other GCash accounts.
Moreover, Ramos emphasized that this initiative started last year, stating that it is the best solution after testing various methods with the e-wallet company.
"Last year, we reached out to the private sector. GCash was among those, given the numerous issues related to scams," Ramos said.
"We explored various methods, conducted testing, and proof of concept. Among the many methods we tried, we finally agreed on one that would make it easier to assist those facing problems with GCash accounts," he added.
Hotline 1326
In 2023, the CICC-DICT introduced the scam hotline "1326" to the public for reporting complaints regarding scamming incidents.
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Furthermore, CICC noted that the public often reports cybercrime on social media instead of directly through formal channels.
"That's been our problem for the past year – the public is quicker to report their issues on social media than to report to authorities or GCash," Ramos said.
Thus, he requested the public to report "If you (public) lose money, report it immediately on your GCash," he said.