The Insurance Authority (IA) has issued a public alert regarding fraudulent payment requests that falsely claim to be initiated by the IA. The IA became aware of these deceptive invoices titled “Insurance Authority Certificate” or “Capital Insurance Certificate” after receiving inquiries from concerned individuals. These invoices feature fabricated IA details and stamps, requesting payments. A spokesperson from the IA has clarified that the IA does not issue any invoices related to “Insurance Authority Certificate” or “Capital Insurance Certificate.” Furthermore, it is not within the IA’s mandate to issue insurance policies as purportedly represented in these fraudulent certificates. The IA has taken immediate action by reporting the case to the Hong Kong Police Force to investigate further.
To ensure the public’s safety, the IA advises individuals who receive suspicious payment requests claiming to be from the IA to verify the authenticity of the documents. They can contact the IA directly through their general enquiry hotline at 3899-9983. By selecting the preferred language and pressing “1” followed by “0,” individuals can reach the IA for verification and guidance. If anyone suspects that they have encountered a scam, they are urged to report the case to the Police through the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.” The IA aims to protect the public from fraudulent activities and encourages proactive communication to address any concerns or potential scams effectively.
Resources: https://www.ia.org.hk/en/infocenter/press_releases/20240424.html