The public should ignore an email purporting to be sent from HSBC, asking that customers use an embedded hyperlink to connect to a fraudulent website and verify their account information by entering their internet banking account's user name and password.

The bogus site looks very similar to HSBC's Personal Internet Banking logon webpage. HSBC has clarified that it has not sent these emails to its customers and has no connection with the fraudulent website. The bank does not have a policy of sending emails asking customers to provide passwords or verify their account information online.

The case has been reported to the Police for investigation. Anyone who has provided personal information to the website or has had any financial transactions through the website should contact HSBC at 2748 3322 or the Commercial Crime Bureau at 2860 5012.

The Monetary Authority reminds the public not to access Internet banking accounts through hyperlinks embedded in emails, Internet search engines or suspicious pop-up windows. They should access their online banking accounts by typing the website addresses at the address bar of the browser, or by bookmarking the genuine website and using that for access.