Be careful out there!!
A Singapore PayNow user recently raised an important warning online about a security risk in the popular payment system. The Reddit user explained that anyone could see a person’s full name just by entering their mobile number in the PayNow system.
The Original Poster (OP) wrote, “Realised that with your mobile number, anyone could enter it in any bank’s PayNow system and see your full name.” They added, “This is one of the simplest ways scammers can find out your name using just your mobile number.”
The post quickly gained attention, reaching close to 8,000 views within 20 minutes. The OP updated the post, saying, “I really hope that 7,900 more people in Singapore became aware of it,” and added, “Hope that my little bit of PSA helped at least someone who could have possibly been scammed through this.”
How to Change Your PayNow Name
The Redditor also shared steps for changing PayNow display names for several major banks. For DBS or POSB users, they can go to “Pay & Transfer,” select “PayNow,” then “PayNow Profile,” and edit their display name. The OP suggested changing names to initials or nicknames so that it remains recognisable to friends but is harder for scammers to guess.
Other Reddit users responded positively. One said they changed their display name immediately after reading the post and thanked the OP.
Another updated their PayNow name to “punchi monkey,” while some suggested using creative names that are still easy for friends to recognise.
OP Pleased With the Impact
In an interview, the OP said they started the post because many people around them were still using default PayNow names. “I know that it’s a drop in the ocean of social engineering, but at least I made an impact, no matter how small,” they shared.
The user also said they had changed their own PayNow nickname years ago after learning about this security issue and were happy their post went viral. “I’ve been encouraging everyone to spread the word to their friends and family,” they added.
