Dear Customer,
We have seen an increase in fraudsters seeking to trick our customers by asking you to provide your bank account details or move your funds into a new account.
For example, scammers pretend to be a courier company stating that due to insufficient information or postage fee for delivery, you are required to provide your credit/debit card details and enter a one-time password. Scammers also pretend to be from law enforcement and seek to pressure you to move your money into another account in order to keep it safe.
If you feel something is not right, please hang up the phone and contact our Customer Services hotline on 0800 3895566 or arrange a branch visit or email service.uk@bankofchina.com (please quote your full name and contact telephone number).
1.Things to Remember:
Scammers are experts at impersonating people and they hope you will let your guard down for just a moment. Please remember stop, challenge and protect.
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only scammers will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact us immediately if you think you have fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
- Our bank will never ask you to reveal your PIN number, your bank card CVV (Card Verification Value – the three digits on the back of your credit card or debit card to the right) number, or any passwords in full.
- Our bank will never ask you to move your money to a “safe account”.
- Our bank will never unexpectedly ask you to click on any link in an email.
- Our bank will never unexpectedly ask you to open an email attachment
2.Things to Do:
To help keep you safe, please remember these dos and don’ts.
Dos:
- Log into the BOC Mobile App or Online Banking to check the record after each transaction.
- Review the monthly statement at your earliest convenience upon issuance to check your transaction records.
- Promptly update your contact details with us to receive alerts and detect fraudulent transactions sooner
- If you receive an unexpected call requesting personal information or bank account details, you should end the call immediately. Do not return it using redial and never transfer money by any method even if requested to do so. Please report it to us immediately.
Don'ts
- Do not give out your credit/debit card or bank account details including the CVV (Card Verification Value – the three digits on the back of your credit card or debit card to the right) or OTP (One-Time Password).
- Do not share your BOC Mobile App or Online Banking login credentials such as username and password.
- Do not disclose your personal information to any unknown third.
3.parties.Current Scam Trends
Scammers are turning to more sophisticated ways whether through online offers, emails or telephone calls.
1)WhatsApp scam
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public about the continued increase in reports about scams where victims are targeted on WhatsApp by scammers pretending to be someone they know – typically their children. Scammers will usually begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged. They will then ask for money to purchase a new phone, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill. The scammer will provide bank details for the payment to be made to, with some coming back with further demands for money. What you need to do
- STOP. THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.
- You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.
- Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)
2)Other types of scam
- A high number of reports are still being received in relation to numerous websites advertising tax rebates. Reports also continue to be received from people who are looking to renew their driving licence online and are directed to a fraudulent website, which requests personal and financial information.
- Several attempts have been made by scammers pretending to be from Amazon. The scam involves emails offering victims a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card. The emails display the email subject header “We have a surprise for you! ￡1000 Amazon Reward” and contain a URL link for the recipient to click on. The email provides scammers with an opportunity to collect and steal sensitive information.
Please visit https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk for more details on the following types of scam:
- Cost of Living Crisis Scam
- Banking Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Romance Fraud
- Student Related Fraud
In the unfortunate event of falling victim to scam, contact us immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
Bank of China Limited, London Branch
Bank of China (UK) Limited
23 January 2023
