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Perfect Example: How to Deal with Scam Calls?
2022-03-25




Perfect Example: How to Deal with Scam Calls?


Recently, a member of public (Mr. Y) shared with the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre on how he successfully fended off phone scammers. 

 

Mr. Y earlier received an unknown call purportedly made from the Centre for Health Protection. The caller, speaking in Putonghua, claimed that Mr. Y had stayed at one of the high-risk places in Hong Kong and thus had to undergo compulsory quarantine. But in fact, Mr. Y did not visit there.

 

The scammer then said that someone had used the personal information of Mr. Y and subscribed to a phone number on the mainland China, asking him to make a report to mainland public security officials for clarification.

 

Later, another scammer impersonating mainland public security official made a video call with Mr. Y in suspected uniform through WhatsApp. The scammer covered the camera after a few seconds so the screen turned black. He subsequently sent Mr. Y his identity document on WhatsApp but deleted it before long.

 

The scammer sent a fake warrant (the image above) to Mr. Y on WhatsApp afterwards. Though there were the name and identity card number of Mr. Y, he knew it was one of the defrauding tricks scammers used because he had watched the scam prevention message “Having my information means nothing. I don't buy it! When in doubt, call 18222!” on television. In the end, Mr. Y replied to the scammer (the image above) in a perfect way that warded him off.

 

Our Advice

  • Even if the scammers are able to tell your personal information, send you their law enforcement credentials or warrants with your photo, it does not necessarily mean that they are genuine law enforcement officers. Scammers can obtain the personal information of the public through open access, security loopholes and even illegal sources;

  • Genuine law enforcement officers will not ask for your online banking account number or password through phone calls in investigation of cases;

  • Do not disclose your personal information to strangers, including your HKID number, address, online banking accounts and PIN codes;

  • Do not click on unknown hyperlinks or input any information;

  • Remind your relatives and friends to stay vigilant against deception;

  • If in doubt, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” for advice.