Media Statements

Date: 18 January 2023

As the Year of the Rabbit Approaches
Privacy Commissioner Reminds the Public to Guard against Fraud

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) noted a recently reported case in which fraudsters used others’ facial images and obtained sensitive personal data like Hong Kong Identity (HKID) Card numbers, residential address proofs and tax returns to open virtual bank accounts and apply for personal loans, resulting in monetary loss to the victims.
 
As the Chinese New Year approaches, the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner), Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, reminds members of the public to be cautious of scams and offers five tips to safeguard personal data privacy:

1. Be vigilant: Beware of the possible swindling of various types of personal data, including names, HKID Card numbers, dates of birth, residential addresses, facial images, video images and bank account numbers. If someone asks for your personal data, be vigilant and check with them the purpose of collecting the data;
2. Do not disclose data arbitrarily: Do not disclose personal data arbitrarily, especially HKID Card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, facial images, residential addresses, tax returns, etc., and avoid disclosing too much personal data on social media platforms.
3. Keep an eye on your accounts and credit history: Monitor transactions of your online banking accounts from time to time and watch out for any unusual log-in records of your accounts and personal emails, and any irregular loan transactions.
4. Fraud prevention information: Pay attention to fraud prevention messages of the PCPD, the Police or relevant organisations to avoid phishing websites or fraudulent calls; and
5. Data erasure and security: If personal data (e.g. residential address proofs) has been used for its intended purpose, the data should be disposed of in a secure manner (e.g. through a paper shredder) to avoid the same being picked up by others for unlawful purposes.

In addition, the PCPD has set up a “Personal Data Fraud Prevention Hotline” 3423 6611 to handle enquiries or complaints from members of the public in relation to suspected data fraud cases.
 
As the Year of the Tiger draws to a close, the PCPD wishes all of you a wonderful Year of the Rabbit!