Hong Kong Monetary Authority warns of reported fraudulent bank websites and phishing scams affecting four banks

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a public scam alert after receiving reports of fraudulent websites, fake internet banking login screens, phishing emails and other scams linked to press releases from four banks. The affected banks are The Bank of East Asia, Limited, Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, with scams involving fraudulent websites and, for three banks, fraudulent internet banking login screens. The HKMA reiterated that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing customers to bank websites to conduct transactions, nor request sensitive information such as login passwords or one-time passwords by phone, email or SMS. Individuals who have shared personal information or conducted transactions in response to these scams are advised to contact the relevant bank using details in the banks’ press releases and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force.