PayNow is a real-time payment service in Singapore that allows people and businesses to send and receive money instantly using simple identifiers like a mobile number, NRIC, or UEN, instead of having to use full bank account numbers. It is linked directly to bank accounts, so transfers happen almost immediately between participating banks.
It is widely used for everyday payments such as splitting bills, paying small businesses, or receiving government payouts. Because it is fast and convenient, PayNow has become a key part of Singapore’s cashless payment system.
From 6 June 2026, PayNow will no longer show user‑chosen nicknames. When you send money, you’ll see the real registered name (partially masked) of the person or business.
Why this change is happening
Scammers have been abusing PayNow nicknames by using names that look like banks or government agencies, creating fake business names, and pretending to be friends or family. Removing nicknames makes impersonation harder.
The benefit for users
Seeing the real registered name reduces fake “bank” or “government” PayNow names, misleading business names, and impersonation attempts inside the PayNow system.
New risks for regular users
Even with partial masking, showing real names creates new opportunities for scammers.
- Your name becomes easier to look up
If someone has your number and triggers a PayNow request, they can see part of your real name. Criminals can search your social media, guess your identity, and build more personalised scams. - Scammers will shift to other channels
Expect more fake SMS alerts, WhatsApp or Telegram messages pretending to be bank staff, and fake payment links. The scam moves outside PayNow. - Small businesses and freelancers may be exposed
If you use a personal account for business, customers will now see your real name. This can make impersonation and invoice scams easier. - Social engineering becomes more convincing
Once scammers know part of your name, they can craft messages that feel more real, such as “Hi, are you Ms Tan? I’m calling from your bank…”
How regular users can stay safe
Don’t trust names alone when transferring money. Confirm payments through another channel. Ignore unsolicited messages about bank issues. Use a separate account for business or public-facing payments. Check your bank app regularly for unusual activity.
Bottom line
Removing PayNow nicknames makes the system harder to fake but easier for scammers to gather small pieces of your identity. Treat every unexpected message, link, or payment request with caution—even if the name looks correct.