DH alerts public to bogus phone call and email

     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) called on healthcare and clinic staff members as well as the public to stay vigilant against a bogus phone call and email that falsely claimed to be made by staff members of the DH.

     The DH was informed by healthcare practitioners recently that their clinic staff members had received a phone call from a person who claimed to be a staff member of the DH, requesting them to provide a mobile number for liaison. The DH also found a deceptive email sent out in the name of the Director of Health recently.

     A spokesman for the DH clarified, "We have not made the calls or sent the emails in question. If DH staff need to contact healthcare practitioners or members of the public, we will provide relevant information to verify the identity of both parties, but will not request the public to provide sensitive personal information. The DH has reported the matters to the Police."

     â€‹Members of the public should stay alert to suspicious phone calls or emails and not disclose any personal information. Members of the public may browse the Government Telephone Directory at the GovHK website for the telephone numbers of the relevant DH offices, and call to verify the identity of DH staff members if needed. Anyone who has been scammed should contact the Police immediately.