BOCHK warns against suspicious SMS messages

It reminded customers that it will only send messages starting with a “#”.

Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) has warned against suspicious SMS messages.

The SMS in question carries the name “BOC” with a hashtag in front, and has a hyperlink attached. The bank declared that it has no collection to the SMS message.

BOCHK reminded its customers that it only sends registered senders IDs starting with “#” to sendSMS to customers’ numbers. Registered sender IDs include: #BOCHK, $BOCHK_TXN, and #BOCHK_CC.

For SMS messages in which it expects a reply via phone numbers or two-way alert SMS messages, BOCHK will only send SMS messages through the following phone numbers: +852 622649931110 or +852 645063570006, to customers’ 
registered mobile phone number for confirmation.

The case has been reported to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Police Force, the BOCHK said.

The bank reminded customers to verify any SMS messages claiming to be from BOCHK, and to not access their bank accounts or provide personal information through hyperlinks, QR codes, or attachments embedded in these messages, emails, or on websites.

Customers who have received any SMS messages purporting to be from BOCHK are asked to contact the bank’s customer service hotline immediately at (852) 3988 2388 (press 3, # and 2 after language selection).