Scams in Hong Kong are a prevalent issue, with someone falling victim every 13 minutes, losing significant amounts of money due to evolving criminal tactics. Recently, a Citibank credit card user experienced a deduction of HK$11,984.90 after unknowingly authorizing a purchase through a fake text message. Scammers can manipulate prices, leading to higher charges than expected with no prior alerts.
Addressing such scams can be challenging, as the dispute process is lengthy and complex, often resulting in charges not being waived. Legislative Council member Johnny Ng Kit-chong advocates for a collaborative platform among financial, IT, and telecom sectors to support scam victims and reduce fraud.
Scam victims face frustration when trying to dispute transactions, as frontline workers may offer conflicting guidance. Banks need to enhance customer protection measures to prevent such incidents effectively. Citibank has implemented fraud awareness messages and strengthened authentication for secure transactions.
