Scammers keep finding new ways to get into e-wallets. Maya is asking its users to use the anti-fraud tools already in its app, which it has gathered in one place called the Security Center.
Maya introduced Security Center late last year and has kept adding features to it, BusinessMirror and Gadgets Magazine reported on Oct. 8 and 9. Here’s what each tool does and how to use it.
1. Make Your Phone A “Trusted Phone”
If you have an upgraded Maya account, you can enroll your phone as a trusted device. Go to Security Center (through Profile or Services), or follow the prompt that appears after you log in. Enrollment is subject to Maya’s security checks.
Once your phone is enrolled, you can approve Send Money with Face ID or your fingerprint instead of an SMS one-time password (OTP). Maya’s help center says you’ll see a “This device is now trusted” confirmation once it’s done.
Why it helps: A lot of scams work by tricking people into sharing their OTP. When transfers are approved with your face or fingerprint, there’s no code for a scammer to ask you for.
2. Check Who Has Been Logging In
Under Account Security, you can see your trusted phones and remove any you no longer use or recognize. Login History shows past logins. You can also change your registered mobile number, password and email address there.
Tip: If you see a login you don’t recognize, change your password and contact Maya right away.
3. Freeze Your Credit Card
If you have a Maya Black or Landers Cashback Everywhere credit card, Freeze My Cards lets you lock it from inside the app, for example if you lose it or spot a charge you didn’t make.
4. Set Your Own Transfer Limits
Transfer Limits let you cap InstaPay transfers from your Maya Wallet to other banks, and Insta-fill transfers from Maya Savings into your wallet. A lower limit means less money can leave your account at once if someone gets in.
What Maya says
“Protecting our customers’ money requires continuing investment in infrastructure, safeguards, monitoring and incident response. It also means giving customers clear ways to manage their account security and reach us when they need help,” Maya Group President Shailesh Baidwan said, according to BusinessMirror.
Maya says these controls work alongside AI-supported fraud monitoring. It also says it works with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police against scams. It runs a scam-awareness campaign called Maya ScamPatrol.
The basics Still Matter
No app setting can protect you if you hand over access yourself. Never share your OTP, password or MPIN with anyone, even someone who says they’re from Maya. Don’t click links in unexpected texts or emails. If something feels wrong, stop and verify first.
Maya’s help center lists its hotline as (+632) 8845-7788 (domestic toll-free 1800-1084-57788), with 24/7 chat support in the app.
Maya is the digital bank and e-wallet whose major shareholders include PLDT, part of the group of companies led by Manuel V. Pangilinan.
