HKMA Issues Alert on Fraudulent HSBC Websites and Phishing Messages

The
Hong
Kong
Monetary
Authority
(HKMA)
has
issued
a
public
alert
regarding
fraudulent
websites
and
phishing
instant
messages
associated
with
The
Hongkong
and
Shanghai
Banking
Corporation
Limited
(HSBC).
According
to
the
HKMA,
these
fraudulent
activities
have
been
reported
to
them,
prompting
an
immediate
warning
to
the
public.

Details
of
the
Fraudulent
Activities

The
HKMA
emphasizes
that
HSBC
will
never
send
SMS
or
emails
containing
embedded
hyperlinks
directing
customers
to
their
websites
for
transactions.
Additionally,
banks
will
not
request
sensitive
personal
information,
such
as
login
passwords
or
One-Time
Passwords
(OTPs),
via
phone,
email,
or
SMS,
including
messages
with
embedded
links.

Public
Advisory
and
Safety
Measures

The
public
is
advised
to
remain
vigilant
and
avoid
providing
personal
information
or
conducting
financial
transactions
through
suspicious
websites
or
emails.
Those
who
have
already
shared
their
information
or
engaged
in
transactions
through
these
fraudulent
channels
are
urged
to
contact
their
bank
immediately
using
the
contact
information
provided
in
the
official
press
release.
Furthermore,
individuals
should
report
the
incident
to
the
Hong
Kong
Police
Force’s
Crime
Wing
Information
Centre
at
2860
5012.

Related
Incidents
and
Warnings

This
alert
follows
a
series
of
similar
warnings
issued
by
financial
authorities
worldwide,
as
cybercriminals
increasingly
target
banking
customers
with
sophisticated
phishing
schemes.
In
recent
months,
several
banks
have
reported
spikes
in
phishing
attempts,
underscoring
the
need
for
heightened
cybersecurity
awareness
among
consumers.

For
more
information,
the
HKMA’s
full
press
release
can
be
accessed
on
the

HKMA
website.

Hong
Kong
Monetary
Authority
20
August
2024

Image
source:
Shutterstock