The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited would like to alert its customers to fraudulent emails which link to a phony HSBC Securities Services website. Recipients are invited to view their new account features by clicking the 'play' button of a video clip, where a hacking programme is embedded.

HSBC would like to remind customers that the Bank's Business Internet Banking site does not carry a webpage such as the one hyperlinked in the fraudulent email.

Customers are reminded to ensure they are connected to a valid HSBC site when wishing to use the Bank's Internet banking services. Customers should access their e-banking accounts by keying in the website address at the address bar of the browser, or bookmark the website and use that function to access their e-banking accounts.

HSBC has reported the above fraudulent activities to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the police, who are working with relevant authorities to shut down the fraudulent sites.

The Bank has no connection with the fraudulent sites involved. If customers are concerned they may have revealed their security details to fraudsters, they should call HSBC's customer service at (852) 2748 3000 for Personal Internet Banking customers.

Sample of fraudulent webpage

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited would like to alert its Business Internet Banking customers to fraudulent emails which ask recipients to reveal their HSBC Internet Banking user name, password and security codes. HSBC would like to remind customers that the Bank's Business Internet Banking site does not carry a webpage as the one hyperlinked in the fraudulent email.

Customers are reminded to ensure they are connected to a valid HSBC site before keying in any confidential personal or company data. Customers should access their e-banking accounts by keying in the website address at the address bar of the browser, or bookmark the website and use that function to access their e-banking accounts.

Customers should never disclose their passwords, PINs or online banking security codes to any third parties. HSBC would never ask customers for such information by email, phone or in person.

HSBC has reported the above fraudulent activities to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the police, who are working with relevant authorities to shut down a number of fraudulent sites such as: <http://business.hsbc.com.bocerts.org/sys_directory/isa/ file.aspx/?session=8402105710426600550876026475567632 9290657705976215332&id=45129584111>. The Bank has no connection with the fraudulent sites. If customers are concerned that they may have revealed their security details to fraudsters, they should call (852) 2748 8288 for Business Internet Banking customers, (852) 2233 3322 for HSBC Premier customers, (852) 2748 8333 for HSBC Advance customers or (852) 2233 3000 for other customers.

Note to editors:

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding and a principal member of the HSBC Group. With around 10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories and assets of US$2,354 billion as at 31 December 2007, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.