Singtel user gets S$1,200 bill 9 days after registering for Cast streaming app, likely due to phishing scam

A Singtel customer received a S$1,200 bill just nine days after registering for the Cast streaming app with his mobile number on Jan. 26.

The customer, Yeo, told Shin Min Daily News: “When I registered, I did not enter any payment method and I had not subscribed to anything.”

Cast, an app primarily for Singtel users, offers access to content from Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China and beyond.

Users can also subscribe to other services, such as newspapers, music, games, and get PlayStation gift cards.

What happened

On Feb. 4, the 49-year-old received a text from Singtel informing him of a S$1,200 charge for “content and services”.

Initially, Yeo suspected the charges were incurred from the data roaming service during a trip to Malaysia, but a Singtel customer service operator clarified that his mobile number had been used to subscribe to PlayStation services within the app.

Yeo denied making any such subscription and was unaware his number could be used for purchases.

Checking the Cast app, he discovered his phone number had been set as the default payment method, allowing direct billing.

Despite Singtel’s system requiring a one-time password (OTP) for purchases, Yeo said he never received one.

Reviewing his bill, he found that within two minutes of registering, his account had racked up PlayStation gift cards worth S$20, S$50, S$80, and S$100, totalling S$1,200.

Singtel’s response and investigation

Singtel’s managing director of customer service, Lionel Chng, confirmed with Mothership that Cast allows customers to charge purchases directly to their Singtel bill.

After Yeo reported the unauthorised charges on Feb. 5, Singtel advised him to lodge a police report and started an investigation.

Chng said scammers may have accessed Yeo’s mobile number and OTP via a phishing link.

“We have since removed the PlayStation vouchers from Cast.sg and are working with the authorities on further investigation,” Chng added.

As a gesture of goodwill, Singtel has waived Yeo’s charges for the vouchers.

Yeo has expressed his appreciation for the resolution, according to Chng.

Singtel urged customers to remain vigilant against phishing scams and verify sources before clicking on suspicious links.

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News