I have received two different versions of Public Bank SMS Alert messages, slightly different from the one posted by redbluegreen.

Version 1

Version 2


I must also note that the default value of Public Bank Berhad is likely NOT MYR 500. I shall provide a full list of transactions I have made for the past 6 months (mid-Dec to mid-June). The transactions which I have received SMS alerts for will be bolded in green. Transactions made at petrol stations shall be underlined.

December 2013

January 2014

February 2014

March 2014

April 2014

* First online transaction for SGD 20.00 on 31st March. The SMS alert notified a MYR 55.50 transaction, but only debited MYR 52.60 on April 3rd.
May 2014

June 2014


Based on the data provided above, it would seem as if Public Bank only sends SMS transaction alerts randomly (read: when they feel good, the winds blow smooth and their mood is right). I also believe there is no actual threshold to trigger the SMS alert.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to find any mention of the SMS notification / alert services on the Public Bank website. Does anyone know if they have stated anywhere about the SMS notification alert services? I've already looked through the product disclosure sheets of the cards, with no success.

EDIT: What a nice view count - We have hit the 20,000 mark!


This post has been edited by Archmage Warlic: Jun 11 2014, 11:37 PM

May I know where did you get the info from, so I can refer to the source(s) for more related info as well? Also, what exactly will the change in the system affect? Only the SMS alert / notification threshold?

This post has been edited by Archmage Warlic: Jun 11 2014, 11:38 PM

I applied for a CIMB Mastercard Debit Card, and I swiped it at a petrol station today. Guess what? No notifications at all. It made me wonder how troublesome things would get if my card fell in the hands of others and every single cent under the stupid daily purchase gets swiped away. The lowest non-zero maximum daily purchase limit for CIMB is a freaking RM 1000.

Speaking of daily purchase limits, I think all banks should follow BSN Visa Debit Card feature, which allows you to set the limit at any amount you want. Yes, even at RM 1.07. They don't have this stupid "please set your daily purchase limit (in thousands)" thing - as if losing RM 999 is a small issue.

Can we raise the issue on the maximum daily purchase limit with BNM as well? Do they have any kind of regulations for this?

Human Nature Does BNM have a policy / guideline concerning the threshold for SMS notification? If you do, can you please provide some references? I mean, I'd love to read through all those.

I fail to see why banks want to make it difficult for us to get a simple notification for transactions - having to manually lower the threshold to RM 1 / RM 0.01 makes it an opt-in feature somehow. More transaction alerts = less prone to fraudulent charges from card loss / theft. Do they like angry customers shaking fist at them demanding money back?

Can't your daughter, now being over 18, simply update her contact information with the bank and change the contact number to her own's number? If she did that you won't be able to receive notifications any longer.

This post has been edited by Archmage Warlic: Jun 14 2014, 03:56 PM

Thank you.



Holy crap, I've always been insecure about keying in my PIN in public places, such as supermarkets with all those eyes queueing behind me. Signature-based transactions will cease starting next year?

Perhaps this will somehow deter thieves from rushing to petrol stations when they gets their hands on a card (for those who are unfamiliar, payments by card at petrol stations require neither signature nor PIN, unless you opt to walk in to pay at the counter). However, it's still a pain in the ass for your common card users like me - I'll be sure to chase everyone behind me away before entering my PIN, if possible.

Does anyone know if we can raise the issue on the maximum daily purchase limit with BNM as well? I've always felt that CIMB's daily purchase limit of RM 1000 / day is quite close to useless.

This post has been edited by Archmage Warlic: Jun 14 2014, 04:13 PM