HKMA Alerts Public to Fraudulent Bank Websites and Phishing Scams Involving Six Banks
Summary
The HKMA issued a scam alert on 24 April 2026 alerting members of the public to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens associated with six banks that have been reported to the HKMA: The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, Fubon Bank (Hong Kong), Bank of Communications (Hong Kong), and DBS Bank (Hong Kong). The HKMA reminded the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing them to bank websites to carry out transactions, and will not ask customers for sensitive information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords by phone, email, or SMS. Anyone who has provided personal information or conducted financial transactions through these scams should contact the relevant bank and report to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012.
“The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or One-Time Password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).”
Banks operating in Hong Kong should review their customer-facing fraud warnings and anti-phishing communications to confirm alignment with the HKMA's explicit guidance in this alert—that banks will not send embedded hyperlinks via SMS or email, and will not request passwords or OTP by phone, email, or SMS. Any customer communications that contradict this guidance may undermine the HKMA's public messaging and reduce customer vigilance against social engineering attacks.
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GovPing monitors HKMA Press Releases for new banking & finance regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 78 changes logged to date.
What changed
The HKMA issued a public scam alert on 24 April 2026 relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens associated with six Hong Kong banks. The alert names The Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Chong Hing Bank, Fubon Bank (Hong Kong), Bank of Communications (Hong Kong), and DBS Bank (Hong Kong) as the banks that reported the scams. The HKMA provided explicit guidance on legitimate bank practices, stating that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks to conduct transactions, nor will they request sensitive information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords by phone, email, or SMS. Financial institutions should ensure their customer-facing fraud warnings and educational materials are consistent with the HKMA's stated legitimate practices. Consumers who may have been targeted should contact their bank and law enforcement immediately.
What to do next
- Contact the relevant bank using the information provided in the corresponding press release
- Report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Scam alert related to banks
Press Releases
24 Apr 2026
Scam alert related to banks
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website.
| Bank | Type of Scam |
|---|---|
| The Bank of East Asia, Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| Chong Hing Bank Limited | Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens |
| Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
| Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited | Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens |
| DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited | Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or One-Time Password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
24 April 2026
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