Paano maiwasang malimas ng ibang tao ang pera mo sa bangko

Kung nakatanggap ka ng text sa iyong mobile phone o sa WhatsApp, na nagsasabing ito ay iyong bangko at may problema sa account mo, magduda ka na. Malamang ito ay “phishing” text.

Ang mga mensaheng ito – gaya ng pinakabagong kumakalat na mensahe na nagsasabing naka-freeze ang iyong account at nag-uutos na magpunta ka sa isang website sa pamamagitan ng hyperlink na nakasaad dito --  ay tinatawag na “phishing”, isang tangka na makuha ang impormasyon mo na pwedeng gamitin upang manakaw ang pera sa iyong account.

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Halos pare-pareho ang modus nila: Papadalhan ka ng mensahe na may problema sa iyong account at hihimukin kang magpunta sa isang website, para doon mag-log in. Dito mo maibubunyag ang iyong impormasyon gaya ng account number at password, sa pamamagitan ng pagfill-up ng form dito. 

Kapag nakuha na ang datos mo, madali nang buksan ang iyong internet bank account. Kung ito naman ay credit card, ang iyong number at ilan pang bang detalye ay pwede na nilang gamitin sa pag-shopping, na malalaman mo lang kapag sinisingil ka na ng bangko sa mga pinamili nila. 

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Isang Pilipinang residente ng Hong Kong na umuwi na sa Pilipinas ang nabiktima ng ganitong phishing operation. 

Nakatanggap daw siya ng email mula sa kanyang bangko na may problema sa kanyang account at hinihinging mag log-in siya sa website gamit ang “hyperlink” na nakasaad sa mensahe. 

Dahil hindi siya masyadong maalam sa internet ay pinabayaan niya ang dalagang anak na gawin ang sinabi sa emal. Nag log-in ang anak niya at malayang binigay ang kanyang account number at password, pero ang napuntahan pala nito ay isang pekeng website ng kanyang bangko.

Pagkatapos ang ilang araw ay nalaman niyang nalimas ang mahigit $600,000 mula sa kanyang account na naipon nila ng yumao niyang asawa simula pa noong sila ay nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong.

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“Nagreklamo kami sa bangko namin, pero wala silang magawa dahil ang nagnakaw ay gumamit ng aming account number at tunay na password,” ika ng nawalan.

Ayon sa Hong Kong Monetary Authority, na nagsisilbing central bank dito, hindi gawain ng mga bangko na magpadala ng ganitong mga text message sa kanilang mga customer. Hindi rin nagtatanong ang bangko ng mga personal na detalye ng kanilang mga customer sa pamamagitan ng telepono, text o email. Hihingin lang ang mga impormasyon gaya ng account number at password, kung ang customer mismo ang tatawag sa Customer Service ng bangko o makakipag-transaksyon nang personal.

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Naglabas ng ganitong paalala ang HKMA matapos magbabala ang ilang bangko sa kanilang mga customer.

Halimbawa, ang Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) ay naglabas kamakailan ng paalala sa mga customer nito na huwag maniwala sa mga text message na nagsasabing ang kanilang credit card ay na-freeze at dapat ayusin sa nakalagay na web address.

Ipinaalala ng HSBC sa mga customer na magpunta lamang sa opisyal nilang website, http://www.hsbc.com.hk, kung magkikipag-transaksyon sa internet. Kung kailangan nila ng tulong, pwede silang tumawag sa 2233 3000.

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Naglabas din ng parehong patalastas ang DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited laban sa ganitong phishing operation.

Ayon sa HKMA, kung isa ka sa mga nagbigay ng iyong mga detalye sa ganitong raket, agad tumawag sa iyong bangko upang pigilan ang mga transaksyon na wala kang pahintulot. Pwede ka ring tumawag sa Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau ng Hong Kong Police Force sa 2860 5012.

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Cats, dogs eyed as possible Covid-19 carriers

Pets like cats have been found positive for Covid-19.

The government is now turning its attention to warning against pet cats and dogs as possible carriers of Covid-19.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said two pet cats from Sheung Shui tested positive for Covid-19 and were sent to quarantine on Friday.

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The two cases, which have not shown symptoms of the disease, were among the five domestic short-hair cats sent to AFCD after their owners were separarely found to be close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case. The AFCD said it will continue to closely monitor the cats and conduct follow-up testing.

The latest cases brought to 10 the number of cats that have tested positive for the virus. Another nine dogs have also tested positive.

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As this developed, AFCD reminded pet owners to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment.

“People who have taken ill should restrict contact with animals. If any changes in the health condition of pets are spotted, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible,” it added.

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But it also advised owners that “under no circumstances should they abandon their pets.”

Last Jan. 30, AFCD allowed most local pet shops selling hamsters to resume business after a clampdown was triggered by samples collected from the 'Little Boss' pet shop in Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, that tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

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Among the anti-Covid measures it adopted to safeguard public health was that all pet shops selling hamsters must suspend business, and these animals that tested positive be disposed of.

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"The AFCD has taken 1,134 samples from animals other than hamsters including rabbits, chinchillas and others; and 1,124 environmental swabs from all the concerned pet shops for the COVID-19 virus test. Test results of all the animal samples are confirmed negative,” it said. 

 

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Pinoy nabistong overstayer nang maaresto dahil sa away

 

West Kowloon Magistracy

Isang Pilipino ang nakulong matapos umamin sa West Kowloon Magistracy na nag-overstay siya sa Hong Kong nang mahigit dalawang taon.

Umamin si Jerome C. Yumul, 51, ng "Breach of condition of stay - overstay" sa harap ni Magistrate Colin Wong Sze-Cheung Noong Jan. 31 matapos basahan ng kaso na isinalin sa Tagalog ng isang interpreter.

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Ayon sa salaysay laban sa kanya, inaresto si Yumul noong Jan. 11 matapos masangkot sa isang away sa tabi ng Shek Kip Mei MTR Station. 

Sa Sham Shui Po police station kung saan siya dinala, itinawag ng pulis na nag-imbestiga sa kaso ang kanyang Hong Kong ID sa Immigraton Department at nalaman ditong ilegal na siyang naglalagi sa Hong Kong simula pa noong November 2019.

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Dumating si Yumul sa Hong Kong noong 2017 bilang domestic helper. Tatlong buwan lang ang itinagal niya sa employer nang materminate siya.

Nakakuha siya ng ilang visa extension mula sa sa Immigration Department dahil kinasuhan niya ang kanyang employer at dinidinig pa ito. Ang huli niyang extension ay noong Oct. 8, 2019.

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Ayon sa salaysay, tumigil sa pagkuha ng visa extension si Yumul dahil nawala daw niya ang kanyang passport. Nang matapos ang huling visa na iginawad sa kanya ay naging ilegal na ang paglagi niya sa Hong Kong.

Ayon sa abugado ni Yumul, hindi daw nito naasikaso ang pagkuha ng visa para manatiling legal ang pagtigil nya sa Hong Kong dahil napaalis siya sa bahay na kanyang tinitirhan at nawala ang kanyang passport.

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Dahil dito, napabayaan na rin niya ang kanyang kaso sa Labour Tribunal, na dahilan ng pagbibigay sa kanya ng visa extension.

Hiningi rin ng abugado na huwag nang ikulong si Yumul.

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Pero ayon sa hukom, hindi wasto na walang parusang kulong sa ganitong paglabag ng Immigration Ordinance, na nagtatakda ng parusang pagkakakulong ng hanggang dalawang taon at multang $50,000.

Ibinaba na lang ni Magistrate Wong ang parusa sa anim na linggo.

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Filipino who allegedly threatened to burn down Consulate arrested

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Security has been tightened at the Consulate after the man's arrest

A Filipino male resident had to spend the night at the Central Police station on Monday, Jan 24, after he was arrested for threatening staff at the Philippine Consulate and pushing one of them to the ground as he was being subdued after brandishing a golf club.

Hong Kong Police said the man is 41 years old and a resident. He was arrested on suspicion of committing common assault and possessing an offensive weapon but was released on police bail.

A spokesman said no charges have been filed yet as investigations are continuing.

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According to an officer of the Consulate who asked not to be named for security reasons, part of the bail conditions imposed on the arrested person is that he should not approach any of their staff and should not enter the Consulate premises.

The officer also said more charges could be laid against the accused as they had filed a separate complaint against him after he allegedly threatened to burn down the Consulate and kill staff during calls he made to their listed number.

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He said the Consulate has already turned over to the police the CCTV footage taken during the alleged assault and the audio recordings of his threatening phone calls.  

In his calls, the man reportedly said “papatayin ko kayo” (I will kill all of you), after saying he would burn down the Consulate.

The ATN section used to be accesible to the public (file)

Police say the accused arrived at the Consulate at about 10:30am on Jan 24, brandishing a golf club which measured 77 cm in length. They received a phone call from one of the staff after the man allegedly started wielding the club and threatening staff.

Consulate insiders said the man arrived with not just a golf club but also his baby. After handing the baby to one of the people inside the premises, he started swinging the golf club while making threats. 

Several male staff managed to subdue him, but only after one of them was pushed to the ground by the suspect.

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According to the officer, the man had been agitated because of a long-running dispute with his wife who has already gone home to the Philippines.

After the Consulate was asked to intervene, the wife reportedly promised to file a petition for annulment in the Philippines but failed to do so because of a lack of funds.

The man reportedly vented his ire over this at the Consulate’s ATN section, saying they should have made sure his estranged wife kept her promise.

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“We told him repeatedly that we did not have the power nor the right to compel his wife to file for annulment,” said the officer. “All we could do is advise them on how they could resolve their marital dispute.”

“Hindi niya maintindihan o ayaw intindihin ang ganoong paliwanag. Pinilipit niya na dapat sabihan namin ang asawa niya na ituloy ang pag file ng annulment.”

(He couldn’t, or wouldn’t understand what we kept telling him. He kept insisting that we should tell his wife to pursue the filing of an application for annulment).

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As a result of the incident, security has been tightened at the Consulate, with all visitors to the closed-off ATN section being barred entry unless they have provided their personal details and the purpose of their visit at one of the windows in the public area.

“We have to protect not only the Consulate and our staff but also members of our community who come to us for services and assistance,” said the officer. 

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2 more hotels designated for FDH quarantine

iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel (Google Maps photo0

Two more hotels have been named as designated quarantine facilities (DQFs) for  incoming foreign domestic helpers (FDHs)  who were not vaccinated in Hong Kong, the Labour Department (LD) announced today.

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O'Hotel (www.ohotel.hk/en-hk) and iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel (www.regalhotel.com/regal-hotels-international/en/promotions/DQF-foreign-domestic-helpers.html) will start accepting bookings through their websites from February 6 and March 1, at daily rates of $650 and $750, which include three meals a day.

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Their 491 rooms will bring to 2,779 the number of rooms available for FDH quarantine. The other hotels that accept new FDHs are Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong in Shatin, Regala SkyCity Hotel in Tung Chung, and Rambler Garden Hotel in Tsing Yi. 

Only FDHs who have confirmed bookings in a DQF will be allowed to board a flight for Hong Kong and enter Hong Kong upon arrival, it added.

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Under the rules, payment will be refunded to the person who made the booking if an FDH tested positive for COVID-19 before arrival in Hong Kong, if the flight is cancelled by the airline, or a lockdown is ordered in the place of origin, provided that supporting documents are submitted in advance.

The Department also said more hotels may be designated as quarantine facilities for FDHs, depending on the need.

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"The Government understands the need of local families for FDHs. However, the local epidemic situation is evolving rapidly, and the Government must vigilantly uphold the policy of guarding against importation of cases," said the announcement.

"The Government will consider whether more DQFs can be provided having regard to the global and local epidemic situation. The hotels will adjust the number of rooms open for reservation each day having regard to the overall booking situation."

The dedicated FDH Portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) set up by the LD provides information and useful links relating to the quarantine arrangements of FDHs. For enquiries, please contact the LD through its 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.

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The news, however, is of little use for FDHs from the Philippines which was included among eight countries from where passenger flights have been banned. The flight ban was initially set for Jan 8 to 21, but has since been extended twice. 

Today, in a press conference, Lam again extended the flight ban another two weeks, to Feb. 18.

Also still banned are passenger flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Britain, and the United States. 

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Penny’s Bay week-long quarantine slots closed within minutes again

By Daisy CL Mandap

CE Carrie Lam inspecting Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre shortly after it opened (File)

The 350 slots that opened today, Oct 11, at Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre for foreign domestic helpers were again filled within minutes of the booking being opened. The bookings accepted today were for check-ins from Oct 29 to Nov 4.

Shortly after 9:00am when the booking opened, many Filipina DHs sent messages to The SUN to ask whether there was a problem with the online system, or whether it did not open as promised, as they could not get in.

As before, a few asked what the reference number on the dedicated booking website was. It turned out they had pressed “enquiry” because they could not activate the “start booking” button.

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But the window linked to the Department of Labour website is clear. “When the booking quotas have been filled, applicants cannot enter the page of ‘start booking’ of the booking system,” says an advisory posted on website.

In short, the booking was again closed because there were no more rooms available at Penny’s Bay. The booking will resume on next Monday, Oct 18.

The difficulty of securing quarantine space has dealt another blow to many Filipino helpers who have been waiting for months to enter Hong Kong.

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One of them is Carlos Frondozo, who said in a comment on The SUN’s Facebook page that he had been stuck in the Philippines for nine months because he couldn’t get a quarantine booking.

Not a few, including Mhai Bautista, Ayona Boter and Cheng Hai repeated a call for more rooms being allotted to stranded workers, saying they are already “baon na baon na sa utang” (heavily in debt).

Another called Rosa Lee said she was hoping to book a quarantine room soon, as she was getting stressed because her medical certificate and employment visa were about to expire again.

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Today was the third Monday in a row when the weekly slots of 50 a day for the designated quarantine facility for FDHs were filled within minutes of the booking system’s opening.

Silka Tsuen Wan hotel, which has also been designated as a quarantine facility for incoming helpers, has long been booked until the end of this month, so getting a room there is even more difficult, as well as pricier.

A room at Penny’s Bay costs $480 a day for FDHs who need to stay there for 21 days, while at Silka, the daily rate is $800.

Silka costs nearly twice as much as Penny's Bay

Labour Secretary Law Chi-kwong has said that Hong Kong is allotting a maximum of 50 rooms a day for the FDHs arriving from high-risk countries, so as to minimize the risk of imported cases entering the city.

He cited the positivity rate among newly arrived FDHs of more than 4 percent between September and October as a basis for limiting their entry, even while acknowledging the huge demand for them from local families.

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Between 4,000 and 6,000 FDHs are reported to have been stranded in both the Philippines and India after Hong Kong designated them as high risk, and tightened restrictions on passenger arrivals from both places.

The flight ban took longer in the Philippines, which was classified as high risk on Apr 20, while Indonesia was added to the list on Jun 25.

While the designation remains, FDHs from both places were allowed to start coming back on Aug 30, although in very limited numbers.

On top of this, all FDHs who were vaccinated outside of Hong Kong are required to spend their 21-day quarantine either at Penny’s Bay or Silka Tsuen Wan hotel.

Those who wish to book a room at Penny's Bay may log on to: www.fdh.labour.gov.hk

For Silka, the booking link is here: https://www.guestreservations.com/silka-tsuen-wan-hotel/booking

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