(9th December 2003 – Australia/Hong Kong) Banks continue to struggle with online security issues with both HSBC and St George being affected by internet fraudsters over the past week.In Hong Kong, HSBC had to alert customers to a fake website, www.hkhsbc.com, which attempted to secure customer details by replicating the bank’s personal financial services website.
In Australia this week, St George customers were the target of a bulk email telling them that due to technical updates they were required to re-enter account details in order to reactivate their account.
St George was the first of the major Australian domestic banks to become a target of such scams but Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and ANZ have all since been affected by hoax websites. The scams have originated in the US or China.
Both HSBC and St George said they were working with respective authorities to have the hoax sites shut down.