According to The Fintech Times, the Philippines is projected to surpass 80 million registered e-wallet accounts in 2025. That’s a threefold increase in just five years, showing how deeply digital finance is now embedded in everyday Filipino life.
As more people connect their e-wallets and digital bank apps to everything from shopping platforms to subscription services, convenience has become the norm. However, not every service offers the same level of security or transparency. What feels seamless at first can sometimes lead to unexpected risks.
That’s why we at Maya have made safety a priority. As the country’s #1 digital bank and one of only six Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-licensed digital banks, we’ve designed our platform to prioritize control, trust, and user safety, so you can stay confident in a fast-moving digital world.
In the sections ahead, we’ll explore where caution matters most when linking your digital accounts, what a secure financial platform should offer, and how you can stay a step ahead in today’s increasingly connected world.
Digital Services That Deserve a Second Look
It's easy to assume that any widely used online service is safe for linking your e-wallet or digital bank. The reality is more complex: not all platforms uphold consistent security standards, and some are entirely unregulated. Whether you're shopping, subscribing, investing, or banking online, always be mindful of who you grant access to your financial accounts.
Below are some types of digital services that may not be worth the risk of linking directly to your funds.
Unverified E-commerce Sites
A polished website and irresistible prices don’t guarantee legitimacy. Many unverified merchants, especially those found through ads or unfamiliar links, may skip basic safeguards like secure payment systems or buyer support. If something goes wrong, getting your money back could be difficult.
To be safe, stick to platforms with encrypted checkout pages, transparent return policies, verified customer feedback, and reliable buyer protection programs.
“Free Trial” Subscription Traps
Some services offer free trials that quietly turn into paid plans. Worse, they may bury cancellation instructions or charge you before you notice. These small deductions can fly under the radar until your balance starts to dip.
If you choose to link your account, opt for services that allow you to set clear usage limits or alerts so you can act quickly if something seems off.
Unregulated Online Lending Apps
Certain loan apps ask for account access up front. Once granted, they may hit you with fees, steep interest, or aggressive collection practices. Many of these services operate outside BSP and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversight, which means fewer protections for you.
Steer clear of such apps by choosing tools that let you track your activity in real time and control which platforms have access.
Shady Investment and Crypto Platforms
Apps promising easy crypto trading or fast returns may be operating without proper licenses. Some redirect funds through questionable channels or vanish altogether.
Avoid linking accounts to services that skip basic disclosures or offer vague guarantees. When in doubt, verify their registration with the SEC and look for platforms with clear regulatory backing.
Online Gambling or Sabong Apps
Betting apps are designed for fast spending. Linking your wallet makes it easier to lose track of your activity, not to mention harder to dispute a charge if something goes wrong.
If you still want to use them, manual top-ups are a safer choice, as they provide a deliberate barrier to excessive spending and keep your main financial accounts isolated.
Adult Content and Cam Sites
These platforms often rely on third-party billing processors. Some mask charges or hold on to data longer than expected. Linking your main account can expose you to privacy and payment issues.
If you still intend to keep patronizing such websites, consider using prepaid or disposable virtual cards and look for options that let you maintain granular control over where your data and money go.
Suspicious Money Manager or Budgeting Tools
Budgeting apps can be useful, but not all are secure. Some ask for direct access to your financial accounts’ credentials, which becomes risky if they lack strong protection protocols.
Before linking anything, check if your bank already offers in-app spending controls and tracking tools. These are often just as effective and are far safer.
What Security Should Really Look Like in a Digital Bank
If you’ve ever hesitated before linking your financial account to an app, you're not alone. With so many platforms promising convenience, knowing who to trust can be tricky. It’s a question we hear often: is Maya safe, and what does that even mean in today’s digital landscape?
For us, it begins with accountability. As a premier digital bank under the supervision of the BSP, we’ve built our platform to shield your account from the risks that come with unsafe links and unchecked access.
You can track every transaction in real time, giving you the chance to catch unfamiliar activity the moment it happens. For instance, if a “free trial” app quietly starts billing your Maya Wallet or Maya Card, a real-time alert helps you spot the charge before it becomes a recurring drain. And with biometric logins, one-time passwords (OTPs), and customizable limits, all available within the Maya app, you stay in control of who uses your account and how your money moves.
On the backend, we meet global security benchmarks through PCI-DSS compliance and were the first bank in the Philippines to earn ISO certification for both information security (ISO 27001) and data privacy (ISO 27701). We’ve also integrated advanced fraud detection technologies that help identify threats early and prevent them from escalating.
Indeed, beyond implementing measures that safeguard your account, a secure digital bank empowers you to manage it with confidence, no matter what you connect to.
