The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued an alert following a press release by China CITIC Bank International Limited on phishing instant messages that have been reported to the HKMA. The HKMA reminded the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing customers to bank websites to carry out transactions, and will not request sensitive personal information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords by phone, email or SMS. Anyone who provided personal information or conducted financial transactions in response to the messages was advised to contact the bank using the details in the bank’s press release and to report the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force’s Crime Wing Information Centre.