The Monetary Authority warns customers to ignore suspected fraud emails purporting to be issued by Citizens Bank - a bank in the US which has no branch or office in Hong Kong.

Reports have been made to the authority recently by Internet users who have received these emails asking them to click on a hyperlink to verify their account information. It is believed the emails can be used to trick recipients into revealing sensitive bank account information.

The authority has confirmed the emails have not been issued by the Citizens Bank, which is investigating the case, adding that banks usually do not ask customers to disclose sensitive account information (such as PIN numbers and passwords) via email.

Keep safe

If people receive such a request, they should contact their banks immediately. They are also advised not to access their Internet banking accounts through hyperlinks embedded in emails or Internet search engines.

Consumers should access Internet banking accounts by keying in the website address in the address bar of the browser, or by bookmarking the genuine website.