Beware of Scam Calls Purportedly from Consumer Council

2022-08-17

Defrauding Tricks

Recently, the Police have received public enquiries about scam calls purportedly made by staff from the Consumer Council, who claimed that the retail shops opened by the recipients on an online shopping platform were selling products that were contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. During the calls, the scammers asked the recipients for their online banking account numbers and passwords in the name of handling cases. As stated in its clarification announcement over the scam (https://www.consumer.org.hk/en) , those phones calls were not made by the Consumer Council.

Our Advice

• The Consumer Council has clarified that it will not take the initiative to contact consumers. If you receive suspicious calls or any forms of communication purportedly made from staff of the Council, please call the hotline (852) 2856 3113 to verify their authenticity;

• Even if the callers claim to be officers of statutory bodies or official authorities, and they are able to tell your personal information, it does not necessarily mean that they are genuine officers. Scammers can obtain the personal information of the public by unlawful means;

• Officers of official authorities will not ask for your bank account password through phone calls in investigation of cases, or ask you to transfer money to designated bank account;

• If the callers claim themselves as officers of law enforcement agencies or government organisations and request for your personal information and assets under various pretexts, contact corresponding offices to verify their identities;

• Care for your family, talk to them and observe if they show any symptoms of falling prey to telephone deception such as being apprehensive;

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