Fraud in Hong Kong: banks, businesses vow not to collect client data by text in joint effort with authorities to clamp down on phishing scams

Banks and major merchants in Hong Kong have promised to refrain from sending out texts containing hyperlinks that ask for client information, as part of a joint drive with the government to clamp down on scammers using instant messaging to target victims.

Fifteen businesses from various sectors came together on Thursday to mark the launch of the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter, a pledge created by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks to curb the use of instant messages containing hyperlinks that collect personal information.

“If residents get this type of message, they should be vigilant and refrain from clicking on those links,” warned Eddie Yue Wai-man, the authority’s chief executive.

The signatories include logistics service providers S.F. Express, delivery platforms Deliveroo and Foodpanda, as well as online retailer HKTV Mall, while all 23 of the city’s credit-card issuing banks also agreed to the charter.

Under the agreement, participants must train frontline staff to handle scam-related customer inquiries and provide communication channels that allow users to verify any messages they have received.

The clampdown on phishing scams follows the launch of an intelligence-sharing platform for banks by the authority and local police earlier this month. The initiative aims to help lenders detect and intercept accounts linked to fraudulent activities.