Recently, many fraudsters have impersonated brokerage firms and sent SMS messages with embedded phishing hyperlinks to their clients, inducing them to enter fake brokerage websites or mobile applications through the link and enter their login credentials. Fraudsters intercept clients’ information and log into clients’ accounts to conduct unauthorized transactions, ultimately causing customers to suffer financial losses.

To protect clients’ accounts and funds, our Company would like to ask clients to pay attention to the following matters:

1. Use the prefix "#" to identify genuine SMS from our Company (only applicable to clients using Hong Kong mobile phone numbers)

Our Company has registered for the "SMS Sender Registration System" implemented by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). When the registration measures are officially implemented, the sender name of all SMS messages sent by us will start with the prefix "#". Clients can use this authentication to identify genuine SMS messages from us more effectively. If necessary, clients can refer to the register on the official website of the OFCA, or call our Customer Service Department at (852) 2277 6555 or email to cs@phillip.com.hk for inquiries.

2. Be alert and do not click on unknown hyperlinks

Our company will not send SMS/instant messages with embedded hyperlinks to clients for logging into their trading accounts. Clients should log in to their accounts directly via our official platforms. Clients should not click on hyperlinks contained in unknown SMS messages, and should not disclose sensitive personal information and account login credentials to any unverified websites or mobile applications through hyperlinks.

3. Check account activities regularly

Our Company reminds clients to check their account activities regularly, such as by reviewing notifications on account login, password resets, trade executions, or changes to client and account related information, so as to promptly detect any abnormal activities.
If clients suspect that unauthorized transactions have occurred in their accounts, please report this to the Hong Kong Police Force where appropriate. If you have any doubts, please call our Customer Service Department promptly.

4. Enable notifications of trade executions

Our Company encourages clients to enable notifications of trade executions. Clients should be aware that if they choose not to receive emails or other notifications from us regarding transaction records, they may encounter higher level of cybersecurity risks, including but not limited to the risk of account intrusion and failure to detect it in time, resulting in any financial loss. For the process of enabling notifications, please call or email to our Customer Service Department.

5. Use reliable resources to check suspicious lists or anti-fraud information

Our Company also reminds clients to use Scameter (https://cyberdefender.hk/scameter/) launched by the Hong Kong Police Force, or the mobile application Scameter+ to enter suspicious information for verification, or visit reliable websites such as:

- SFC Alert List (https://www.sfc.hk/TC/Alert_List),
- Cyber ​​Defender (https://cyberdefender.hk/),
- Anti-Fraud Coordination Centre (https://www.adcc.gov.hk/zh-hk/home.html),
- Investor and Financial Education Council (https://www.ifec.org.hk/web/tc/index.page),

to check suspicious lists or information about cybersecurity threats and anti-fraud.