HKMA Warns BEA Account Holders Against Phishing E-mails

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has warned online bankers in Hong Kong to remain cautious against an e-mail apparently from the Bank of East Asia Limited (BEA).

In this e-mail, the sender urges customers that they should follow a given web-link that actually leads to a fake BEA site. This fake site asks customers to confirm their account details by feeding the username and password for personal Internet banking accounts. The website resembles the online banking login page of the BEA.

However, the BEA in defense of its reputation released a press report on June 2, 2010 regarding the attack to make it clear to customers and other people that the Bank had no connection with the fraudulent, phishing message, as reported by Chinesestock on June 2, 2010.

The Bank further observed that customers could safely access all the online based services of the BEA via its main page at www.hkbea.com.

Additionally, it told everybody that the BEA didn't request clients to enter their passwords or login details through any communication mode, including electronic mail.

Apart from these clarifications, the BEA strongly suggested clients and other people never to follow a hyperlink or URL in an e-mail to access BEA's information or services.

Thereafter, the BEA also emphasized that it had informed the Hong Kong Police Force about the incident and that they were investigating into the matter. Nevertheless, if anybody has already entered his private details into the fake site or carried out a financial transaction through that website, then he should contact the BEA by dialing the Bank's help-desk number. Furthermore, the person should also report the case to the HK Police Force's Commercial Crime Bureau via its hotline phone-number, or simply the Police Station in the locality.

Unfortunately, this incident comes just after days PBHK (Public Bank Hong Kong Limited) reported of being targeted by a similar kind of phishing e-mail.

It is evident from these recurring fraudulent e-mail assaults against bank customers that Hong Kong netizens aren't much familiar with phishing e-mails. Therefore, they ought to be made aware of how they can stay away from such scams.

Related article: HKMA Asks Banks to Step up Interest Security

» SPAMfighter News - 6/11/2010