Latest Scam Alerts

Beware of Telephone Deception by Pretending Mainland Bank Staff
2021-03-02

Beware of Telephone Deception by Pretending Mainland Bank Staff
Defrauding Trick

Recently, the Police have received public enquires about incoming calls with a “+86” prefix. The caller, speaking in Putonghua, impersonates staff of a Mainland bank and claims that the victim has applied a credit card at a Mainland bank and the account is in arrears. During the call, the fraudster is able to tell the name and other personal information of the victim. When the victim asserts that he / she has never applied any credit cards on the mainland, the fraudster would then forward the call to another fraudster who claims to be a Mainland law enforcement officer. The fraudster then claims that the victim has violated the laws on the Mainland and requests the victim to provide sensitive personal data such as bank account and password in order to prove their innocence.

Our Advice
  • To help detect telephone deception, the Office of the Communications Authority stipulates that telephone operators are required to insert a “+” sign in the calling number display of mobile phones as a prefix for all incoming calls originating from outside Hong Kong. If you receive calls with “+” sign from strange numbers, you should be alert to the possible telephone deception. If you decide to take the call, you should remain vigilant and verify the identity of the callers during the call;
  • Once the conversation is over, you should call directly the organisation that the callers purport to represent for verification of their identity;
  • Law enforcement officers or staff of government organisations would not require the public to surrender their online banking passwords and properties;
  • Do not disclose to strangers your personal data, including your HKID numbers, bank account numbers, online banking accounts and passwords;
  • Do not download unknown mobile applications, or input any information into unknown mobile applications or websites;
  • Remind your relatives and friends to stay vigilant against deception.
  • If in doubt, call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for enquiries.