Hong Kong enhances ATM services security

A new security feature will take effect in March.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said the overseas ATM cash withdrawal capability for all ATM cards, including debit cards and credit cards, issued by authorised institutions in Hong Kong will be pre-set as “deactivated” to minimise unauthorised ATM transactions.

According to HKMA, cardholders intending to make cash withdrawals from ATMs overseas including those in Mainland, Taiwan, Macau, and places outside Hong Kong should activate the overseas cash withdrawal capability in advance through ATMs, online banking, phone banking, or bank branches.

The effective and expiry date for the activation period as well as the overseas ATM cash withdrawal limit shall also be set.

“Individual banks have started communicating the detailed arrangements to their customers. Cardholders should contact their own card issuing banks for details,” said HKMA.

Meanwhile HKMA and the Hong Kong Association of Banks will also be publicising the details through television and radio and on their websites.