Beware of phone scammers impersonating staff of Department of Health

2021-11-24

Defrauding Tricks

Members of the public have recently received pre-recorded voice calls with caller ID “+852 2125 2125” or “+800 2125 2125”, purporting to be made through the Vaccination Schemes enquiry line of the Department of Health (DH) (2125 2125).  The caller, impersonating a DH staff, claims that the call recipients cannot receive a third dose of vaccine because of the discrepancy found in their personal particulars kept for the registration of the first and second doses of vaccine.  The calls are then forwarded to another fraudster impersonating a Mainland law enforcement officer, who attempts to gather their personal information (including their names, HKID card numbers, dates of birth, etc.).

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. 
• “800” is currently used in Hong Kong as the first three digits of a 9-digit phone number (i.e. 800 xxx xxx), but not as a prefix followed by an 8-digit phone number;
• If you receive unknown calls with the prefix “+852” or “+800”, it indicates that the calling numbers are disguised as local numbers and it is probably a phone scam.
• DH will provide relevant information to verify the identity of both parties if they need to contact you.  DH will not ask you for any sensitive personal information such as bank account details and PIN codes; 
• If callers claim themselves as staff of DH and ask for your personal information for rectifying the records, please do not disclose your sensitive personal particular via telephone. You may seek assistance from your Vaccination Service Provider (such as the Community Vaccination Centre or relevant clinics).
• Do not disclose to strangers your personal information, bank account details, online banking accounts and passwords, etc.;
• Remind your relatives and friends to stay alert against deception;
• If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for enquiries.