Fraudulent websites and social media accounts related to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited relating to fraudulent websites and social media accounts, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or social media accounts concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.




Red tides sighted

     Five red tides were sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (July 19).

     On July 15, staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) spotted five red tides at Victoria Harbour (near Sai Ying Pun), Victoria Harbour (near North Point), the waters off Cheung Sha Wan Promenade, Tsing Lung Tau and Lei Yue Mun respectively. The red tides at Victoria Harbour (near Sai Ying Pun), the waters off Cheung Sha Wan Promenade and Tsing Lung Tau still persist, while the other two red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The above red tides were formed by Pseudo-nitzschia pungens, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."

     The AFCD urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.




Auctions of traditional vehicle registration marks to be held on August 3 and 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 19) announced that two auctions of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on August 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday) in Meeting Room N201, L2, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     "A total of 350 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html," a department spokesman said.

     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(5) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.




Mei Lam Sports Centre reopened

     â€‹The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 19) that the Mei Lam Sports Centre in Sha Tin District has been reopened. The sports centre was temporarily closed earlier due to urgent maintenance works for a power failure.




Housing Authority endorses enhanced measures to strengthen effectiveness of Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC) endorsed today (July 19) the implementation of measures to enhance the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates (Marking Scheme) by adding three new misdeed items and widening the scope of two misdeed items. 
 
     "The enhanced measures aim to provide a clean, hygienic and safe living environment for public rental housing (PRH) residents and strengthen the effectiveness of enforcement," a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     With a view to rendering assistance to Owners' Corporations (OCs) of the Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) estates in their daily management and meeting the residents' aspiration for a decent living environment, the SHC also endorsed the application of all misdeed items under the Marking Scheme to PRH tenants in TPS estates. 
 
     "We would work with TPS estates' OCs for the implementation details and listen to their views to ensure effective implementation," the spokesman said.
 
     The enhanced measures will take effect in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the revised list of Misdeeds under the Marking Scheme, please see the Annex.  
 
     The following three new misdeed items will be added:
 

  1. "Feeding feral pigeons or other wild animals" with seven penalty points;
  2. "Hanging or placing objects with potential risk of falling from height outside the window, balcony or façade (including canopy, air-conditioner hood and other projections)" with seven penalty points and the application of a warning system.  Misdeed item A2 "Hanging floor mop outside the window or balcony" will be deleted as it will be incorporated into the new misdeed item; and 
  3. "Resisting or obstructing the Housing Authority (HA) or person(s) authorised by HA in execution of duties in accordance with the Housing Ordinance or other statutory requirements, or policies imposed by HA" with 15 penalty points.

 
     The scope of the following two misdeed items will be widened:
 

  1. "Dripping oil from exhaust fan" be amended to "Dripping oil from exhaust fan, range hood duct, etc."; and
  2. "Obstructing corridors or stairs with sundry items rendering cleansing difficult" be amended to "Placing any sundry items, property, or objects in estate common areas (including but not limited to common areas inside or outside any buildings of the estate) that cause obstruction or render cleansing difficult". 

     "The HA will step up publicity on the revised Marking Scheme and will issue a gentle reminder to PRH residents prior to implementation," the spokesman said.