Scam alert related to banks
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on theHKMA website.
Bank |
Type of scam |
The Bank of East Asia, Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
Chong Hing Bank Limited |
Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen |
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Source: AI-found images
DH steps up inspections to premises offering RGA hair growth or platelet-rich plasma services to safeguard public health
In light of the recent investigation by the Department of Health (DH) that some shops are suspected of performing Regenera Activa hair growth (an autologous cell transplant medical procedure, referred as RGA) or platelet-rich plasma injections, contravening the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) (the Ordinance) which prohibits operating a day procedure centre (DPC) without a licence, the DH today (February 16) visited over 30 shops in Hong Kong which claimed to offer similar services in their websites and conducted investigations if the shops involved illegal acts of operating a DPC without a licence to safeguard public health.
During the operation, no RGA or platelet-rich plasma medical procedures were found to be conducted at the shops. Some of the shops would arrange customers to undergo the relevant medical procedures at licensed DPCs. Nevertheless, the DH has reminded the responsible persons of the shops that, according to the Ordinance, transplantation of any cells, tissues or organs, including autograft, allograft, xenograft, processed tissue or blood products (such as platelet-rich plasma) and skin flap, are scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance. Such procedures, when performed in an ambulatory setting, must take place in a licensed DPC. The DH has also issued a letter to remind all registered doctors and dentists of the abovementioned legal requirements. Any person operating a DPC without a licence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for three years.
The DH announced last week that a shop in Mongkok offering RGA hair growth services and platelet-rich plasma injections was suspected of operating a DPC without a licence, the relevant investigation and evidence collection are still ongoing. The DH will seriously follow up on the case, and take appropriate actions against the shop and its responsible persons in accordance with the relevant ordinances.
The DH reminded doctors that before performing RGA, platelet-rich plasma injection or other scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance, they must verify that the premises holds a suitable licence, so as to ensure the best interests of patients and adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct.
Meanwhile, the DH urged the public that before receiving RGA or platelet-rich plasma injection or other scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance, they should find out if the premises providing the services had obtained a DPC licence in accordance with the Ordinance. To assist the public in identifying licensed or exempted facilities, the DH has established thePrivate Healthcare Facilities Register, which lists all private healthcare facilities with valid licences and exemptions. DPCs must display their licence in a conspicuous place. Each licence bears a QR code that can be scanned using the eHealth app to verify its validity. For more information, please visit the DH's Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilitieswebpage.
DH steps up inspections to premises offering RGA hair growth or platelet-rich plasma services to safeguard public health Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
