Expansion of Suspicious Account Alert for automated teller machine transactions
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), announced today (December 5) the expansion of the Suspicious Account Alert to include transactions at automated teller machines (ATMs) (including cash deposit machines). Starting from December 8, 2024, 22 participating banks (see the list at Annex) will gradually implement the alert mechanism at their ATMs, and provide their customers with detailed information on the implementation.
The scope of the Suspicious Account Alert mechanism, which is expanded to include transfers conducted at ATMs (including real-time same bank transfers and inter-bank transfers, as well as cash deposits), will cover the majority of the public's day-to-day transfers. Whenever a customer conducts a funds transfer or cash deposit at a bank branch or an ATM, or via online banking, if the recipient's account number, mobile phone number, email address or Faster Payment System (FPS) Identifier is labelled as "High Risk" in the Police's Scameter, a scam and pitfall search engine, the customer will receive an alert to the associated fraud risk before confirming the transaction.
The alert mechanism was first introduced in November last year, with the first phase covering funds transfers using FPS proxy IDs. The alert mechanism was further expanded in August this year to cover internet banking and physical branch transactions. When customers initiate a bank transfer, banks will issue high risk alerts to customers based on data from the Scameter. In the third quarter of this year, banks issued over 24 000 alerts (Note), which reminded customers not to proceed with the high-risk transactions in a timely manner.
The HKMA reminds the public to carefully verify the payment details and the payee's identity before proceeding with a transaction. If in doubt, the public should immediately terminate the transaction. The HKMA will continue to work closely with the Police and the banking industry to assess the effectiveness of anti-fraud measures and actively combat digital scams.
Note: Based on data provided by the 35 participating banks (which offer FPS, internet banking and physical branch services) of the Suspicious Account Alert mechanism.
HKSARG responds to reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under HKHRDA incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US' reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
A spokesman for the Government said, "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security."
"The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents."
He said, "The US openly clamour for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."
The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.
The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.
The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.
