HKMA’s Response on the Incident of Suspected Theft of Voter Registration Particulars

Press Releases

31 Mar 2017

HKMA’s Response on the Incident of Suspected Theft of Voter Registration Particulars

In view of the recent incident of the suspected theft of a notebook computer containing voter registration particulars, there have been concerns about the potential use of the data by fraudsters who pose as the data subjects to conduct internet banking or phone-banking transactions, or to obtain loans, putting the interests of the data subjects or banks concerned in jeopardy.  It is understood that the relevant data includes the names, Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) numbers and addresses of the data subjects.

The HKMA notes that the Registration and Electoral Office has written to the financial institutions about the incident.  We have contacted a number of retail banks and they indicated that the customers are required to use pre-registered login names and passwords / PINs to access the online banking system for the banking services.   Therefore, one cannot access the online banking services by using his or her name and HKID number alone.

On phone-banking service, all banks have in place necessary procedures (including the request for a phone-banking PIN) to verify the identity of their customers.  For any customer claiming to have forgotten or misplaced his or her password and requesting to manage the account via phone-banking, the banks would ask additional questions to confirm the identity of the caller.  Even if the caller manages to produce correct answers to those questions, conducting high-risk transactions, e.g. transferring funds to a third-party account, are not allowed.

In addition, the banks have indicated to the HKMA that they follow rigorous loan vetting and approval procedures, and an individual (in his capacity as such) cannot obtain any bank loan by simply providing his name, HKID number and address.

The HKMA has reminded retail banks to stay vigilant and continue to monitor the relevant developments.



Hong Kong Monetary Authority
31 March 2017

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Last revision date : 31 March 2017