The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued an urgent alert about phishing instant messages targeting customers of China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited, according to a recent press release. The warning aims to protect the public from fraudulent activities that have been reported to the HKMA.
Details of the Phishing Alert
The phishing attempts involve instant messages that deceive recipients into providing sensitive personal information or conducting financial transactions. The HKMA emphasized that banks will never send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing customers to their websites for transactions. Additionally, banks will not request personal information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) through phone calls, emails, or SMS.
Recommended Actions for Affected Individuals
Individuals who have inadvertently provided their personal information or conducted transactions in response to these phishing messages are urged to contact China Construction Bank (Asia) immediately using the contact details provided in the official press release. Furthermore, affected individuals should report the incident to the Hong Kong Police Force's Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012.
Preventive Measures
To prevent falling victim to such scams, the HKMA advises the public to be cautious of unsolicited messages and to verify the authenticity of any communication received from financial institutions. It is recommended to directly reach out to the bank through official contact channels rather than using links or contact details provided in suspicious messages.
For more information, visit the HKMA website.
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