GCash Follow-Up E-mail

Although I praise GCash for preoccupying themselves with their customers’ security, I still couldn’t forget how traumatizing it was to experience PayPal to GCash cash-in delays thrice.

On June 8th, I received a follow-up e-mail from GCash regarding the transaction I made on June 7th.

Screenshot_19

Screenshot_20

Screenshot_21

I replied to the e-mail and informed them I have done withdrawals in small batches for more than three weeks already, pointing out to them that in case the initial $15 does not go through, I only have a measly $15 to dispute with PayPal for 6 days instead of a hefty $278.

I hope my reply put things into perspective for them.

My Experience With PayMaya Plus Upgrade

I signed up for a PayMaya account almost two years ago. There was an Upgrade option right within the PayMaya mobile app and I got the reference number via SMS but had not been able to upgrade then because of the lack of authorized PayMaya centers. At the time I signed up there was no authorized PayMaya center in my hometown and as of this writing there still isn’t one in Cagayan de Oro.

Last year I became aware of the Facebook video call via the PayMaya Official Facebook page. I tried this option with an old account, which I had to bring back to life from deactivation, only to be later disappointed that my Facebook video call request was ignored. I replied to their message via Messenger about the time and date and a month had gone by without any reply from them. Okaayyyyy. They should take out the Cares in PayMaya Cares or whatever. When I had the chance to stop by in Manila for 4 weeks, I found my chance and took care of this PayMaya upgrade business the first few days after my arrival in Manila.

If you browse through the PayMaya website, there’s a link for authorized Bayad Centers that will do the upgrade. Upgrade is free, by the way. I am staying in Las Piñas and this was favourable because there are few Bayad Centers close by. I chose the closest, Puregold Las Piñas.

I wasn’t very familiar with Las Piñas (I only lived in Parañaque a few years in the past but rarely ventured further down the South) and although I easily spotted Puregold Las Piñas, my journey didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked because of a tiny oversight – I had to be in possession of a filled-up Bayad Center application form. If I had taken the Smart Jump Center route, which was SM Megamall, perhaps I would not be needing the Bayad Center form anymore. I was informed by the Bayad Center attendant in Puregold Las Piñas that I would need to print the Bayad Center upgrade application form and fill it up with the same information I entered in my PayMaya upgrade application online.

It took me 30 minutes of scouting the area outside of Puregold to find an internet cafe which offer printing services. When I went back to submit the form, again, I realised I had overlooked something when the attendant called me about the form I submitted. I did make sure, however, that I don’t get out of the premises without receiving any text message or a call from Bayad Center. The passport number I had entered on the form did not match what I entered on my PayMaya upgrade application. The passport number I submitted years ago expires this month and I have had a new passport since November 2016. My mistake was assuming that I could replace the info because of a mere expiration issue. I was wrong. Expired or not, the same ID indicated during the time one signed up must also be written on the Bayad Center form.

Once I provided the old passport number, I received a text notification within minutes from PayMaya that my account has already been upgraded to PayMaya Plus.

IMG_20170606_174811_222

It was such a relief to be able to see on my PayMaya mobile app that I could send money to my other PayMaya card and/or SmartMoney accounts and even to other KYC’ed GCash accounts as well, which I currently have.

Screenshot_20170531-200714

Screenshot_20170531-200723

I did the PayMaya to GCash transfer to test. The transfer came through instantly!

1496743833128

1496743896923

1496743971910

1496744168163

Facebook Login With Spotify

A few days ago I had no clue what a minor headache a Spotify Facebook login could cause until it happened to me.

I had my Facebook deactivated for a long time now and having downloaded Spotify to my Android device, I then tried to recall my Spotify login credentials. I knew I had signed up for Spotify with an e-mail address and not via other social media accounts but I was drawing a blank. I had Spotify installed on my iPhone 6 Plus before and the latter doesn’t seem to automatically log me out of mobile apps unless I was resetting the network settings or some other. After having installed it on Android and trying to return to whatever it was that I was multi-tasking with, I didn’t realise I had literally clicked on the button for log in with Facebook. I was seriously pissed with myself, not to mention the multi-tasking part may have rose my cortisol levels.

I frowned at the e-mail notification that suddenly came up on my phone. It was Facebook welcoming me back. Ughhhh. That’s when I knew I had made a mistake. By accidentally logging in with Facebook on Spotify mobile app, I had activated my defunct Facebook account.

From there on I had to deal with the drudgery of uploading a valid ID or contacting my Facebook friends because Facebook apparently had to lock me out. I followed the instructions but the ID photo wasn’t clear enough for them, I got fed up and just let it be. I needed to log back in so I could deactivate it again.

Earlier today, I tried to log back in to my old Facebook account and the security check it required this time was to supply my birth date. Easy peasy. Why didn’t they ask me that the first time? Unbelievable. I know, I know. It’s because it’s easier to supply a birth date of a stranger and unauthorized access could be had. Yes, I was finally able to deactivate my account.

The lesson here is knowing which mobile apps you have connected to your Facebook account, especially if you plan to deactivate it. Signing in using your social media credentials might not be a good idea and mobile app registration via an e-mail account would be an outstanding alternative.

0956 – Not An Existing Globe Number

I have been experiencing the unrecognised 0956 Globe number error message since I purchased the sim late last year. At one point the error revolves around not being able to receive GCash funds when transferring from my GCash AmEx number. The app would prompt something like the number is not an existing Globe number. I bought the Globe 0956 number from a GCash MasterCard kiosk in a Globe Center.

In the Globe Rewards mobile app, I cannot add my Globe 0956 number because, again, the system says I must enter an existing Globe number. Nonetheless, I could send text messages with it, make calls and receive calls with it. To redeem my Globe Rewards points, I would need to dial *143# instead of using the Globe Rewards mobile app.

When Skrill was still partners with Upwork for the latter’s withdrawal options, I would withdraw my Upwork funds to Skrill and within the Skrill mobile app I would withdraw it to my mobile wallet. Mobile wallet withdrawal was instant. Here is a sample video of an error message I would get when choosing my Globe 0956 number under Mobile Wallet to withdraw my Skrill funds to. You can see in the video I had to use my Globe 0995 number, which is my GCash AmEx number, to successfully do a Skrill mobile wallet withdrawal. From the GCash mobile app, I am now able to transfer funds from my GCash AmEx 0995 number to my GCash MasterCard 0956 number.

PayPal to GCash Technical Difficulties

It has been two weeks since I could not use the PayPal to GCash cash-in within the GCash mobile app itself. I’ve experienced delayed cash-ins before and I am glad Globe owned up to the never-ending technical difficulties their system seems to be having to prevent amassing discontented customers.

At first I thought the error was caused by the lack of update for the Android version only.

Screenshot_20170517-095438

Screenshot_20170517-072523

I kept encountering that error message even though my PayPal account was already linked to GCash in the past. I tried unlinking it via PayPal and then relinking it within the GCash smartphone app but the same problem persisted.

It was somewhat deceiving when I tried inserting my Globe GCash sim into my iPhone and could click on the PayPal to GCash cash-in option in the iOS version. However, when I entered the amount and clicked Next, that was when the error message appeared.

Relinking was futile, of course, as both Android and iOS versions have given me the same error message. PayPal and GCash Care clarified the issue.

Processed with MOLDIV

20170524_104203000_iOS

Yesterday, I received a text notification that PayPal to GCash cash-in is now functional.

20170527_121754000_iOS

Grab vs Uber in Thailand

I have only ever used the Uber mobile app for the first time when I arrived here in Bangkok a week ago. I had Uber downloaded on my phone about a year ago but could only use GrabTaxi in my hometown.

Upon clearing immigration at the Don Mueang International Airport, I opened Maps to ask for directions from the airport to the place I was staying. Under Ride, UberX mainly comes up along with the fare information. I paid ฿300 for the 20-minute UberX ride. I didn’t even think of comparing the fare with the Grab mobile app as I was in a hurry to leave there. The fact that Uber was integrated within the Maps app is an advantage for Uber.

Seven days, 2 Grab rides and 7 UberX rides later, I can say I’ve mostly had a more pleasant experience with Grab than Uber. Don’t let the quantity fool you. I’d had to raise the issue to Support about being prompted to pay ฿300 again for that first UberX ride. As explained in their Help section, I was apparently overcharged because of a technical issue:

For compensation, we’ve added THB 300 Uber credit to your account to reflect the difference in the amount you paid and what the trip fare should have been. Please note this Uber credit will automatically apply to your next trip fare.

However, In order to make an adjustment for a cash fare, we need you to first settle this outstanding balance. Please note that you will be unable to request rides until this balance is paid.

To pay your account balance, please sign in to your account. You can use a payment method on your account to pay your balance before you request your next trip. Here’s how it works:

1. When you try to request a trip, your app will notify you that your account is in arrears.

2. You’ll be prompted to add a credit or debit card to your Uber account.

3. After you’ve added a card, you can select it as your payment method to pay your arrears in full.

It makes sense to use up my Uber credits than to use Grab more.

What I don’t like about the Uber mobile app, though, is the inability to change my cellular number on file. When I tried to change it, it prompted me to make another account which is totally unnecessary. I don’t know why it would not recognise my Thailand cellular number, even if it’s just a traveler’s sim card. With Grab, I could switch my number on file to the Thai number, despite the latter being a traveler’s sim. Just had to emphasize that.

I also notice way too many glitches with the Uber mobile app. This resulted in so many cancellations by Uber drivers. For a 10-minute walk back to the hotel, it would take me an hour or so to successfully get an Uber ride. I could walk the way back, if only I weren’t carrying some groceries.

How To Send Uncropped Images Via Instagram Direct Message

When I first started sending out group direct messages to my friends on Instagram, I didn’t mind that the images sent via direct messages are partially cut off. That is, until I started to send more images or photos with text on them and the obsessive-compulsive personality in me inwardly protested. I found a workaround for it and it does solve the partially cut off dilemma in most images.