BDO says system secure, no trace of insider hand in Berenguer case
MANILA, Philippines — BDO Unibank has rejected allegations of a system compromise and insider collusion in disputed transactions that content creator Jana Berenguer raised, saying its probe showed account activity validated through security protocols.
In a statement, the bank said the client’s claims were “baseless.”
“BDO’s system remains secure, with no evidence of any breach or insider involvement,” the bank said.
The case has gained traction on social media after Berenguer posted videos alleging her funds were accessed without authorization and hinting at insider involvement.
Bank’s findings. Berenguer, who has built a following as a lifestyle and consumer content creator, acknowledged in an ABS-CBN interview that her mobile device was at some point accessed by other people.
BDO said its investigation showed that on Sunday, September 14, Berenguer's password was reset and a device was registered, both validated by one-time password (OTP) sent to her registered mobile number.
“There was no change in the mobile number used to receive the OTP. The client’s official device remains to be the device that receives official client communication,” the bank said.
The following day, BDO said, transactions were executed, with alerts sent six hours before the client called its hotline.
“Transactions through BDO Pay require PIN or biometrics, not OTP. OTP is required only for device registration, not for transactions via BDO Pay,” the bank said.
The response. Berenguer's agency, Talent Marketers Inc., defended its talent, saying it was not negligene that led to the disputed withdrawals.
“We categorically assert that our talent did not share her password, her OTP, nor did she click on any suspicious links. She exercised due diligence in safeguarding her personal banking information. Despite this, her hard-earned money disappeared without her knowledge or consent,” the agency said.
BDO, however, cited its findings that transfer limits were not bypassed and security controls worked as intended.
“BDO has put in place different features intended to protect clients’ accounts. These controls will not work if clients ignore warning signs and messages sent by the bank through official channels,” the statement read.
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