Citizens are urged to be aware of the fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the HKeToll, which provides hyperlinks to fake websites that seek to deceive recipients into making payments and obtain their vehicle registration mark and credit card information.
A woman fell victim to the scam with swindlers being able to con over HK$7,700 out of her.
She told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister newspaper, that she received an SMS message yesterday morning saying: "Your auto-payment of tunnel tolls on August 10 is declined. Please complete the payment as soon as possible."
A hyperlink was attached. The woman clicked it, entered a one-time password sent from the bank, and paid HK$20 via her credit card.
But she soon received another SMS message from the bank that the transaction had cost her HK$7,750, which involved an overseas travel booking site.
She immediately called the bank to cancel the transaction, but was declined because she had authorized the transaction with the one-time password.
The bank only suspended her card and the woman still needed to pay the amount.
The Transport Department issued a statement around noon yesterday to remind the public to stay vigilant against suspicious SMS messages purportedly issued by the HKeToll.
The department said such messages would provide hyperlinks to fake websites to trick recipients to pay and to obtain their vehicle registration marks and credit card information.
"The Transport Department clarifies that the SMS messages were not issued by the HKeToll and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up," it said.
It added the e-toll system does not send SMS messages or e-mails to car owners with hyperlinks and motorists must log on to the official HKeToll website – hketoll.gov.hk – or mobile app to pay outstanding tolls.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Department also revealed phone scams involving callers posing as immigration officers, after it noticed fraudsters impersonated immigration officers on the phone recently.
The fraudsters told the potential victims the names, titles, contact means and the office address of serving immigration officers, and suggested could visit the office in person or by phone for identity verification to make the phony calls credible.
The department said although staff may call individuals to process their applications based on circumstances, it does not make pre-recorded voice calls to those who have not chosen appointment reminder service. Neither will it transfer calls to non-local authorities or request for personal information, it said.
It said anyone in doubt should call the department's inquiry hotline 28246111, send an e-mail to [email protected] or seek assistance from the police's anti-deception coordination centre.
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