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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
To promote smart and responsible use of banking services, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has jointly produced a new TV drama series entitled "All about Banking" with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).
Using a humorous approach, this eight-episode five-minute drama series rides on the story of a young restaurant owner and his lover to bring out the smart tips on using banking services, including:
- compare the overseas transaction charges of different credit cards before deciding on which card(s) to use when travelling abroad and understand the charges involved when considering whether to settle foreign currency transactions in Hong Kong Dollars (i.e. using the "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC) arrangement);
- handle credit limit of credit cards prudently, understand the terms of personal loans and strive to keep a good credit record;
- bear in mind the security tips in using internet banking services via smartphones; and
- stay vigilant against suspicious phone calls purportedly from banks.
The drama series will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 3.20pm, ATV Home at 11am, and RTHK TV 31 at 6.55pm on eight consecutive Sundays starting from December 20 (this Sunday). It can also be viewed in the "Archive" section of the RTHK website and the "RTHK Screen" smartphone application. Different publicity will be rolled out to reinforce the education messages conveyed in the drama.
"All about Banking" is one of the key programmes in the latest phase of the HKMA's consumer education initiatives. Apart from a new round of radio broadcasting to disseminate timely reminders on using credit cards and ATM cards during the festive seasons, the HKMA also launched new TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (API) recently. The APIs remind the public that as banks no longer accept intermediary referrals for personal loans or credit card applications, any calls that claim to be offering such referrals are potentially fraudulent. The public is also reminded not to give their personal information easily before verifying the caller's identity.
Ends/Saturday, December 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:00
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