HK Electric warns customers about fake emails on overdue bills
Power company makes police report over fraudulent messages asking recipients to add sender to address book
HK Electric has reminded customers to remain vigilant after bogus emails supposedly from the firm were sent to members of the public urging them to settle overdue bills.
The emails contained zip files with unknown contents. Recipients were asked to add the sender’s address to their contact lists so that they could receive more messages in the future, a warning notice for customers said on Monday.
The utility company said it had not send the emails concerned and would not attach zip files in emails.
The notice was issued after customers called the company to confirm the source of the suspicious messages.
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A spokesman warned customers not to open emails from unidentified sources or click on suspicious attachments.
HK Electric filed a police report on Monday.
The Post was told that more than 20 customers had approached the power company about the messages.
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In July, bogus emails involving the company, the sole electricity supplier to Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island, were also circulated. The emails asked the recipients, including both customers and non-customers, to provide credit card details so that they could enjoy a HK$800 rebate. The company alerted police.
A police spokesman said no arrests had been made in this case, which has been classified as “attempting to obtain property by deception”. No financial losses have been reported so far.
An Eastern District investigation team is on the case.
