High Risk Alert
(Suspicious Account Alert)
The “Suspicious Account Alert” (also known as the “High Risk Alert”) have entered its second phase on 4th August 2024. In addition to the Faster Payment System (FPS), the Hong Kong Police’s Scameter data will also be incorporated into general online banking, Stored-Value Facility (SVF/ e-wallet) and bank counter transactions, extending the coverage of “High Risk Alert” and thus enhancing the public’s ability to identify and prevent scams.
「The “High Risk Alert” is a collaborative effort by the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks, the Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited and 42 major retail banks and SVF operators in Hong Kong. Members of the public can receive fraud prevention alerts without needing to install additional software when conducting transactions on bank and SVF websites and mobile apps.
High Risk Transaction Alert
When making transactions, if the recipient’s bank account number, SVF account number, or FPS proxy ID:
Bank account number
SVF account number
FPS proxy ID:
Phone Number
Email address
FPS identification code
is associated with fraud reports, i.e. marked as “High Risk” in the Scameter, the public will receive the following “High Risk Alert” on the transaction confirmation page:
If members of the public see the “High Risk Alert” during transactions, they should immediately stop the transfer to avoid potential fraud.
Source of “High Risk Alert” Data
Bank account numbers, SVF account numbers and FPS proxy IDs labelled “High Risk” are derived from confirmed criminal reports made by the public to the police. The Scameter database updates this information periodically throughout the day on the FPS, major retail banks and SVF platforms to ensure timely alerts for the public.
No Alert = Absolute Safety?
The absence of “High Risk Alert” does not guarantee a safe transaction. It simply indicates that no related reports exist for that recipient account or FPS proxy ID. The public should always remain vigilant and aware of potential scams before making any transactions.
