The Great QR Code Hunt: Aunties Chasing Healthy 365 Points at NTUC

A New Supermarket Trend?

A trip to NTUC FairPrice used to be straightforward—grab your groceries, pay, and leave. But lately, some shoppers have noticed a new post-checkout phenomenon: aunties camping outside supermarket exits, ready to scan your Healthy 365 QR code the moment you step out.

In a post on r/SingaporeRaw, one user described feeling "ambushed" by these aunties, who waste no time in approaching shoppers and asking for their receipts. Their goal? To scan the QR code and claim health points under the government's initiative. The user compared the experience to a game of supermarket "dodgeball", trying to avoid persistent aunties who, if refused, simply move on to the next shopper.

How Did We Get Here?

For those unfamiliar, Healthy 365 is an app by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) that rewards users with points for making healthier choices. These points can be redeemed for grocery vouchers, transport credits, and other perks. It’s easy to see why people are eager to collect them—after all, free money is free money.

However, some users feel that the situation has escalated, with aunties waiting outside supermarkets as if it’s a full-time hustle.

Netizens React: Amused, Annoyed, and Concerned

The discussion quickly gained traction, with Singaporeans sharing their own experiences and opinions. Some found the whole situation amusing, while others were frustrated by the persistence of these QR-chasing aunties.

"It’s easy free money. Of course people will want to collect. There are quite many people who are not aware of these perks, myself included until last year."
— u/Automatic_Win_6256

Some shoppers are willing to share—but only after scanning for themselves.

"Yes, I normally give them… after scanning it myself 🤣"
— u/GTR077

Others take a firmer stance:

"Nothing new. If you don’t wanna give, just tell them you ownself wanna scan, and they won’t bother you."
— u/shiningject

"I will just tear it in front of them 😉😜"
— u/Right-Ask5607

There are also reports of this hustle extending beyond supermarkets.

"I once saw aunties scanning their QR code for all the elderly customers at McDonald’s at TPY. They sat beside the counter and scanned their QR codes when the elderly customer orders. Omg!"
— u/No_Progress6580

Bigger Problem or Harmless Trend?

While some see it as kiasu culture at its finest, others believe this points to a deeper socio-economic issue—the struggle of lower-income individuals trying to squeeze out small financial benefits.

"Is it just me, or does this illustrate how messed up the gov policies are? Wasting lots of money to implement systems that hardly serve their intended purposes, and mismanaging the economy so badly that people start to do these kinds of ‘odd jobs’."
— u/wristss

"I wonder if our cabinet ministers actually shop at NTUC. Even if they do, their last visit was probably a decade ago. Things have changed a lot since."
— u/Throwaway16_61

(These opinions reflect the views of the original posters, not necessarily the broader public.)

What’s Next?

Some speculate that this phenomenon might only get worse if Healthy 365 points become even more valuable.

"Heard OYK ownself say he is thinking of using the same codes as discounts for national health insurance premiums which everyone must pay. Even uncles and the sandwich class will join the game too."
— u/CybGorn

For now, NTUC staff have reportedly started tearing receipts in half before disposal to prevent them from being claimed by others.

"When I worked at NTUC, they asked us to tear it in half and dispose of it because of this."
— u/summernight_iz

Should You Give Away Your QR Code?

At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Some don’t mind sharing, while others prefer to keep their rewards. If you want to avoid the hassle, a simple "No, thanks, I’m using it myself" should do the trick.

But as these aunties keep scanning, it’s worth asking: is this just harmless hustle, or does it hint at something bigger? What do you think?