09/12/2025
GCASH ON HOLD/ GCSSH SUDDENLY GETS FROZEN...
I’d like to share my recent experience with my GCash account, which was put on hold for 17 days while it still had over ₱80,000 in it. For context, we run a small cash-in and cash-out service from home (wala kaming tindahan). I usually transfer the money to the bank once the balance reaches a significant amount. Unfortunately, on the day I planned to transfer the funds, GCash didn’t send the OTP I needed, so I told myself, “Bukas na nga lang.”
The next day, I received an email saying my account was placed on hold due to a swindling complaint under the Financial Consumer Protection Act. The email even included the complainant’s number, the amount (₱1,000), and the exact date and time of the transaction.
Of course, we panicked and tried every possible way to resolve the issue. “Chat with Gigi” wasn’t working, and the hotline waiting time felt endless. Thankfully, the person who received the money happens to live in our barangay, and the complainant lives in the next one. After hearing all their excuses and inconsistent stories, I gathered every piece of evidence from our chat conversations, printed everything, and brought both of them to the barangay for mediation.
The complainant claimed he was scammed by the person who received the money, which is why he reported my account. I didn’t know whether they were telling the truth or not—at that point, I just wanted the issue resolved and my account restored. The stress and inconvenience they caused were overwhelming.
We eventually brought the matter to the police. Fortunately, the officer assisting us had a cousin who works as an investigator for GCash. With their help, the process finally moved forward. After submitting all required IDs and my phone’s SIM settings (visible yung gcash number ko) my account was restored within 24 hours.
I made sure they understood the trouble they caused, and I asked them to compensate us for the income we lost during the days our GCash funds were on hold. (danyos perwisyo)
Sharing this in case anyone else goes through something similar. Always keep your records, screenshots, and proof. You never know when you might need them.
