HKMA reminds public to stay alert to phishing scams targeting binding of payment cards to contactless mobile payment services
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The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has recently received reports from banks of scams involving the unauthorised binding of payment cards, including ATM cards, to contactless mobile payment services. The HKMA has shared the relevant modus operandi with the banking industry and reminded banks to stay vigilant and strengthen customer education.
In the cases reported, fraudsters impersonated merchants or other organisations through phishing messages, fraudulent websites or phone calls, and used various pretexts, such as offering compensation for goods, to deceive victims into disclosing their payment card information and ATM personal identification numbers (PINs). To bind the victims' payment cards to devices under the fraudster's control, fraudsters coaxed the victims into approving payment card-binding requests through different channels, such as mobile banking applications or two-way SMS messages. Once the payment cards have been bound, the fraudsters can use them to make unauthorised transactions.
The HKMA reminds members of the public that binding a payment card is a high-risk operation. The following must always be borne in mind:
- never click hyperlinks in messages from unknown sources;
- never disclose payment card information, ATM PINs, login passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs) to anyone;
- never follow instructions from unknown or unverified persons to respond to or approve any requests or transactions, including those received through mobile banking applications or two-way SMS messages; and
- carefully read all messages and notifications from banks, and reject any card-binding request that they have not initiated.
Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen victim to a scam should immediately contact their bank and report the matter to the Police. They may also call the Police's Anti-Scam Helpline at 18222 for assistance.
Ends/Friday, September 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:25
Issued at HKT 21:25
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