Media Statements

Privacy Commissioner’s Office Urges Vigilance Against Scammers
Impersonating Electrical Appliance Retailer

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) received 24 complaints and seven enquiries over the past few months concerning calls from fraudsters impersonating staff of an electrical appliance retailer, falsely claiming that they could arrange compensation or replacement of product. The PCPD appeals to members of the public to be vigilant against suspicious calls, to verify the identities of callers and not to be trapped simply because the callers are able to allude to their personal data.
 
All the complainants in the above-mentioned 24 complaints had previously purchased electrical appliances from “BUILT-IN PRO”. They subsequently received calls from individuals who claimed themselves to be staff of the retailer, alleging that the appliances they had purchased were defective and that compensation and product replacement could be arranged. However, they were requested to make payment upfront. Some complainants were deceived because the fraudsters were able to refer to the personal data that they provided at the time of purchase and details of purchase, and the complainants proceeded to make payments, resulting in financial losses. The losses ranged from over HK$6,000 to over HK$17,000 in individual cases.
 
To safeguard personal data privacy and property security, the PCPD reminds members of the public to pay attention to the following when they receive any calls purportedly made by merchants to follow up on purchased products:

1. Verify the identities of callers: Even if callers can allude to your personal data, you should think twice before disclosing any further personal data or making any payment to the callers if you are in doubt about their identities. Members of the public should verify the authenticity of the content of the call through the merchants’ official website, official customer service hotline or by visiting retail stores in person, and pay attention to any scam alerts issued by the merchants;
2. Reject any suspicious payment requests: When handling compensations or refunds, in general merchants will not require customers to make any upfront payment such as “deposits” or “handling fees” in advance, or to make any transfer for the purpose of verifying the bank account. Citizens should never disclose sensitive data such as online banking account details or passwords to others arbitrarily;
3. Retain communication records: Keep records of the incoming phone numbers and conversation details for reporting to the Police or relevant authorities where necessary; and
4. Stay alert to fraud prevention information: Pay attention to fraud prevention information published by the PCPD, the Police or other relevant organisations to enhance vigilance. Members of the public may also visit “Scameter” (https://cyberdefender.hk/en-us/scameter/) to check suspicious phone numbers, email addresses and websites, etc.

Anyone who suspects that his/her personal data has been misused may make enquiries or lodge complaints with the PCPD (“Personal Data Fraud Prevention Hotline”: 3423 6611 or email: communications@pcpd.org.hk).  If there is any suspicion of fraud on personal data which involves criminal offence(s), one should immediately report the case to the Police.