Complaints about Stored Value Facility Licensees

Choose Stored Value Facility Licensees Carefully

Although Stored Value Facility (SVF) licensees in Hong Kong are subject to the supervision of the HKMA, their mode of operations may vary significantly depending on their business models and customers. SVF users should therefore choose their SVF licensees carefully by comparing, among things, their types and scope of services, terms and conditions, fee structure and redemption policy. If SVF users believe that the nature or level of service provided by an SVF licensee does not meet their expectation, they should consider choosing another SVF licensee that suits them.

Complaint Handling of Stored Value Facility Licensees

There are occasions when SVF users decide to lodge a complaint against an SVF licensee, whether they still use its facility. SVF users may lodge a complaint due to many different reasons, e.g. unsatisfactory customer experience, disputes on fees and charges, or concerns regarding issues like data privacy or payment security.

The HKMA requires that all SVF licensees should have in place an established and effective complaint handling mechanism to ensure that all complaints received are handled in a reasonable manner. As such, it will be effective for SVF users to lodge a complaint directly with the SVF licensee first in order to have the issues addressed or resolved at an early stage. Many disputes and complaints arise from misunderstandings or expectation gaps, and they can in many cases be resolved after a complainant has communicated with the SVF licensee. Each SVF licensee has a specific responsible contact to handle complaints. Please refer to the list of SVF licensees’ contact details for handling customer complaints or call the HKMA at 2878 1188 for relevant information.

Nevertheless, not all disputes or complaints can be resolved effectively through the SVF licensee’s complaint handling processes. For example, an SVF user may have grounds to believe that the SVF licensee (i) did not take reasonable steps to handle his or her complaint, (ii) may have breached certain provisions of the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO), or (iii) may have committed certain misconduct such as misrepresentation. For these cases, complainants can report to the HKMA, which will look into the matter.

It should nevertheless be noted that the HKMA will not normally interfere with an SVF licensee’s commercial decisions and adjudicate or intervene in a commercial dispute between an SVF licensee and its customers, provided that the relevant terms and conditions have been clearly set out for reference by the SVF users. Through involvement in the handling of dispute between the complainant and the SVF licensee, the HKMA seeks to ensure that (i) SVF licensees did take reasonable steps to handling the complaints they received, (ii) SVF users are fairly protected in accordance with the PSSVFO, and (iii) issues of regulatory concern, if any, will be followed up appropriately.

Lodging Complaint with the HKMA

You can lodge a complaint about an SVF licensee with the HKMA by completing an online complaint form. The complaint form can also be downloaded from the HKMA’s website or be sent to you by post, email or fax upon request.

Please provide sufficient information in the complaint form such that the HKMA can handle your complaint properly and promptly. You can deliver the completed form to the HKMA in person or send it to us by post, email, or fax. The relevant contact information is set out at the end of the complaint form and also below.

Please note that for non-online submission, if a complaint form is not signed or relevant consent is not given, it will not be handled and will be returned to the sender according to the available address specified in the form, regardless of the delivery method. When you submit a completed complaint form to us through email, you may either send a scanned copy of the form with your signature, or a completed form in the editable PDF file format directly without signature. In the latter case, you are required to give your consent by ticking the box in section 5 of the complaint form, to the HKMA to disclose the complaint’s information and your personal data to the licensee and other parties concerned in a prudent manner.

Please also note that all telephone conversations about the complaints between you and the HKMA may be recorded and your information is subject to the disclosure of personal information and data set out in section 5 of the complaint form.

To lodge a complaint

Online submission:	Online complaint form
Complaint form (PDF format) submission: Via	Download complaint form (PDF)
E-mail:	SVFComplaintEnquiry@hkma.gov.hk
Fax:	(852) 2887 2234
Post:	Retail Payment Oversight Division Hong Kong Monetary Authority 55th Floor Two International Finance Centre 8 Finance Street Central Hong Kong

You may also contact us at (852) 2878 1188 for enquiries in relation to lodging complaints against SVF licensees. All telephone conversations between you and the HKMA may be recorded, irrespective of whether you dial in or we call you back so as to ensure our service quality.

Last revision date : 21 March 2024