CDC vouchers: People's Association warns Singapore public of unverified links, as long online queues form in Singpass

SINGAPORE — The People’s Association Community Development Councils (CDCs) are warning the public about unofficial links circulating online, amid the rush by thousands of Singapore residents on Wednesday (3 January) to access $500 worth of CDC vouchers per household.

The CDCs said they have taken action by filing a police report regarding these unauthorised links and are working with authorities in their investigations. They emphasised using only the official link to claim the CDC vouchers and urged people to be cautious of links without the gov.sg domain.

By 12.30pm on Wednesday, approximately 54,000 individuals had joined the online queue for these vouchers, redeemable at participating supermarkets and local businesses.

This new tranche of CDC vouchers provides $200 more than the previous one in 2023. Half of the vouchers can be used at supermarkets, and the other half at hawker centres and local merchants. Scheduled for distribution to around 1.27 million Singaporean households, the January 2024 CDC vouchers will cost the Singapore government $635 million.

Facebook users share their experiences of CDC voucher redemption delays

Several individuals shared their frustration on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore regarding the "surge" in traffic to redeem CDC vouchers via Singpass.

User Viji uploaded a screenshot on Wednesday displaying a queue number of 28,143 along with the message, "Hi, you are now in the queue. Number of people queuing ahead of you."

Another user Rahimah commented on the queue numbers, noting, "I guess there is a surge. First time seeing this in Singpass."

Facebook user Cynthia also contributed by posting a screenshot showing a queue number of 49,824 and humorously remarked, "Omg...lol."

FairPrice offers bonus vouchers for CDC voucher users in promotion

Meanwhile, shoppers using their CDC vouchers at FairPrice outlets in the next two weeks will receive added value for their spending.

FairPrice Group said on Wednesday that, for every $80 worth of CDC supermarket vouchers used in one transaction at FairPrice stores until 17 January, customers will receive $8 in return vouchers. These $8 return vouchers can be used from the day after they are issued until 29 February.

No minimum spend requirement is attached to these vouchers, and shoppers can use multiple vouchers in a single transaction. However, there's a limit of redeeming three vouchers at a time per customer.

How can the CDC voucher be claimed?

To claim the CDC vouchers, a link will be sent via SMS from "RedeemSG" to registered mobile phone numbers. CDC clarified in a recent Facebook post that only one member from each household needs to use Singpass to claim the vouchers.

The councils emphasised that "RedeemSG" will not ask for personal or banking information through SMS. They also highlighted that the genuine voucher link will always start with the prefix "https://voucher.redeem.gov.sg".

The CDCs were also made aware of a circulating message labelling the official CDC Vouchers 2024 claim link as a scam. They clarified that the official link will be communicated through official channels such as notification letters to households, the CDC Vouchers Scheme website, and the CDC's verified social media platforms.

Individuals noticing suspicious messages related to RedeemSG or CDC vouchers are encouraged to contact the People's Association at 6225-5322, call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or report it online at www.police.gov.sg/iWitness.

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