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Saturday, July 18

High Risk Alerts Now Fully Cover

Expansion of Suspicious Account Alert for Automated Teller Machine transactions

The Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) have announced that from 8 December 2024, the Suspicious Account Alert mechanism will be progressively extended to transactions at participating banks‘ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), including cash deposit machines. This will cover intra-bank and inter-bank real-time transfers as well as cash deposits. When members of the public conduct transactions at bank branches, ATMs or through online banking, if the recipient’s account number, mobile phone number, email address or Faster Payment System (FPS) Identifier matches information flagged as high-risk in the Police’s Scameter, they will receive an alert warning of potential fraud risks.

The high-risk alert mechanism was first introduced in November 2023, initially covering transactions using FPS proxy IDs and was expanded in August 2024 to include internet banking and branch transfers. When high-risk transactions are detected, the system issues alerts reminding customers to cancel them.

The Police advise the public to verify payment details and the recipient’s identity before completing any transaction. If in doubt, they should terminate the transaction immediately. The Police will continue to collaborate with the HKMA and the banking industry to strengthen anti-fraud measures and combat scams.

High Risk Transaction Alert

When making transactions, if the recipient’s bank account number, SVF account number, or FPS proxy ID:

Bank account number

SVF account number

FPS proxy ID:

Phone Number

Email address

FPS identification code

is associated with fraud reports, i.e. marked as “High Risk” in the Scameter, the public will receive the following “High Risk Alert” on the transaction confirmation page:

Alert

Hong Kong Police Force warning: The payee account is related to a

scam report

Please cancel the payment instruction. Call Police Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 if in doubt.

Cancel
Proceed

If members of the public see the “High Risk Alert” during transactions, they should immediately stop the transfer to avoid potential fraud.

Source of “High Risk Alert” Data

Bank account numbers, SVF account numbers and FPS proxy IDs labelled “High Risk” are derived from confirmed criminal reports made by the public to the police. The Scameter database updates this information periodically throughout the day on the FPS, major retail banks and SVF platforms to ensure timely alerts for the public.

No Alert = Absolute Safety?

The absence of “High Risk Alert” does not guarantee a safe transaction. It simply indicates that no related reports exist for that recipient account or FPS proxy ID. The public should always remain vigilant and aware of potential scams before making any transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What should you do if you think your information has been labelled incorrectly?

    Please contact police by email at [email protected] Please note: As the information may be related to a criminal case, Police will reply via email after verification of the personal information of the enquirer.

  • Can I proceed with the transaction if I receive a “High Risk Alert”?

    It is not recommended due to the high risk of fraud, but you may still choose to proceed with the transaction.

  • Can I inquire with the payee if I receive a “High Risk Alert”?

    It is not recommended. According to police experience, scammers often use various excuses to persuade people to complete the transactions, such as system testing, account approval processes, or incorrect labelling. If you encounter a “High Risk Alert”, you should immediately stop the transaction and cease contact with the other party. If in doubt, call the Police Anti-Scam Helpline at 18222 for assistance.

  • Is the “High Risk Alert” applicable to overseas recipient accounts?

    The current “High Risk Alert” mechanism only applies to local FPS proxy IDs, SVF and bank account numbers. The police, HKMA, and industry will periodically review the scope and explore the feasibility of extending coverage to other non-instant payment methods and cross-border transactions to provide better scam protection for the public.

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