Latest Scam Alerts

Mutated “Expiring Insurance” Phishing Messages
2024-08-21




Defrauding Tricks

Bogus customer service scams perpetrated through WeChat have mutated again. Posing as staff of banks, payment platforms or insurance companies, scammers sent phishing messages to members of the public, claiming that the victims’ “WeChat insurance” or other insurance services were about to expire and fees would be deducted from their accounts unless they settled the payments. They then guided the victims to click on phishing hyperlinks to log on to fraudulent customer service platforms or call back bogus customer service staff for cancellation of services.

 

Pretending to offer assistance, the scammers would forward the calls to bogus bank staff who would ask the victims to make payment or hand over banking information with various excuses:

- Transfer payments to designated accounts to avoid fee deduction or as guarantee money;

- Transfer funds to new accounts and hand over banking information (online banking usernames/ passwords/ verification codes/ credit card details);

- Input banking information into fraudulent websites for vetting;

As a result, all of the victims’ money was transferred away.

 

Our Advice

  • 28 retail and virtual banks in Hong Kong have been using “Registered SMS Sender IDs” with the prefix “#” to send SMS messages to local subscribers of mobile services.

  • Do not click on suspicious hyperlinks as they may contain viruses or Trojan horses which will steal your credit card/ banking information.

  • Do not hastily believe calls or SMS messages purportedly from staff of banks, payment platforms or insurance companies. Do not disclose any personal information, online banking usernames, passwords, verification codes or credit card details to strangers.

  • You may enter suspicious phone numbers, web addresses or transferees’ account numbers on “Scameter” or “Scameter+”, the mobile app of “Scameter”, for security check;

  • If in doubt, hang up immediately and make enquiries through relevant channels such as designated websites, customer service hotlines or the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222”.