FREELANCER: Call Lendee’s ‘Reference’ First; Cash In Via Online Banking; More Sinkholes, Quakes
Aids continue to arrive in earthquake-hit northern Cebu but more food, water and tents are needed.
There is also a need to centralize the delivery and distribution of relief goods to avoid traffic jams and to make sure all victims get help.
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With more than 7.020 aftershocks and still counting since the Sept. 30 Magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu, it is still not safe to stay indoors. As strong as M5.3 aftershocks have occurred.
Phivolcs is warning against the possibility of much stronger aftershocks.
The occurrence of several sinkholes in the city and nearby localities are added threats to public safety.
Death toll is now at 72.
Elsewhere in the country, the frequency of earthquakes seemed to have increased, with some as strong as M5.3.
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Such are just among reasons everyone must be on alert always and be informed.
Heavy rains, floods, severe storms and acting volcanoes, also fire incidents, are also in season.
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E-wallet cash ins?
Electronic wallets like Maya and GCash can be topped up by cashing in through some pawnshops, 7-Eleven, Imart and other convenience stores, e-tap, Pay&Go and TouchPay kiosks, in malls and department stores, among others.
The charges can range from two to three percent especially when you already went beyond the P8,000 monthly limit for free cash-ins, although despite not yet reaching the limit, there are still some charges depending on the cash-in centers.
Due to the accessibility of such cash-in centers and kiosks, many do not mind getting charged as long as they can top up their wallets at the quickest way.
However, there are banks that only charge P10.00 when you cash-in to your Maya or GCash wallets from your savings and other accounts, like BDO.
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I’ve been banking with BDO, and its BDO Online app is very useful in so many ways, including cashing in my wallets. It is very convenient. It is available 24/7 as long as you have data or wifi connection.
Through its instaPay access I am only charged P10.00 per transaction regardless of the amount. One can transfer up to P50,000 per transaction to Maya or GCash wallet for just P10.
Check with your bank. I believe other banks also offer the same as BDO does. When transferring from Maya or GCash back to your bank account the charge is P15.00 regardless of the amount.
I’m just reminding you about this so you can check with your bank and avail of lower charges in topping up your e-wallets, among other online services.
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Calling online lenders.
Getting repeated text messages and “recorded” calls twice or thrice a day from supposed lending firms following up about someone else’s overdue accounts is annoying.
The barrage of text messages that are also sent at night have become a disturbance, with some of the SMS containing below the belt comments against the borrower that at times even the “reference” is also being slapped with off-tone adjectives.
Migs, next time let us know first before you give out our names and numbers as your “reference in case you cannot be contacted”.
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Online lending companies must also be reminded that before they approve someone”s loan application, the reference indicated by the applicant must first be contacted by the former if they agree or not.
There are also rules imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on what lenders can and cannot do, or must not do, when they are collecting through text, calls and other platforms.
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It was only several months ago when some online lenders were sanctioned for their harsh way of collecting from their borrowers.
With the same thing happening again, at least another lending firm will soon be sanctioned, with complaints already elevated to the proper authorities.
BY THE WAY, scammers also use as ploy this “you were made as a reference by the borrower” bait, so better be wiser than the scammer!* (APT)
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