Cashless payments have made things much easier for both customers and small businesses, but one elderly kuih seller in Melaka has reportedly decided to go back to cash after allegedly losing money to dishonest customers.
A Malaysian recently shared on Threads that they visited a kuih stall near Klebang Restu, where a handwritten sign reading “Tiada QR Hari Ini” could be seen hanging at the stall.
When asked why QR payments were unavailable, the seller allegedly explained that too many people had been cheating her.
Customers allegedly edited payment receipts
According to the post, the seller claimed that there were occasions where payments never actually entered her account even though customers showed her what appeared to be payment receipts.
“Many people cheated me. A lot of the money didn’t come in. They edited the receipt. Even the sound was the same,” the seller was quoted as saying.
The person who shared the story expressed frustration over the alleged behaviour, pointing out that small traders may not earn much from each item sold in the first place.
The claim has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear how frequently such incidents allegedly happened to the seller.
Netizens share ways small traders can avoid being cheated
The post attracted plenty of attention online, with several Malaysians sharing possible ways for small businesses to protect themselves when accepting QR payments.
One commenter suggested that sellers generate the payment request themselves by entering the exact amount into their e wallet or banking app before showing the QR code to customers.
This would require customers to scan the QR directly, reducing the opportunity to simply show an edited screenshot.
Others suggested using a payment soundbox, which announces incoming payments and the amount received.
However, some pointed out that even with a soundbox, sellers would still need to pay attention and ensure that the announced amount matches the customer’s purchase, especially during busy periods.
Another commenter said traders should avoid relying solely on screenshots shown by customers and instead confirm that the money has actually entered their account.
Several Malaysians also sympathised with the seller, saying elderly traders may find it difficult to constantly monitor apps, transaction notifications and payment devices while serving customers at the same time.
While cashless payments are convenient, the incident has also served as a reminder for both sellers and customers that a payment screenshot alone may not necessarily mean a transaction has successfully gone through.
