Consumer Education Campaign on “Say NO to Phone Scams”

The Communications Authority has launched its annual Consumer Education Campaign from June 2024 to March 2025 under the theme of "Say NO to Phone Scams”. Through the organisation of different programmes and activities, the Campaign aims to raise public alertness against telephone and SMS scams, highlight the measures adopted by the authority to combat telecommunications scams, as well as to promote consumer messages on smart use of various communications services.

The Communications Authority organised the "Say NO to Phone Scams" Fun Day cum Exhibition on 23 & 24 November 2024. There were various game booths, interactive quiz games with prizes including the "CommBo" toys and other souvenirs, workshops for children and families, as well as check-points for selfies. Through the display of informative panels and broadcast of consumer education videos, the event also aimed to raise public awareness of staying vigilant against phone and SMS scams, as well as to promote smart use of various communications services to help the public make informed service choices.

Venue: Piazza, Kowloon Park (22, Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)

Schedule of Activities

List of Winners 

The Communications Authority organised the "Beware of Phone and SMS Scam Poster and Slogan Design Competition", which aims to raise the alertness of students and parents against phone and SMS scams. The competition results have been announced. For details please visit the competition webpage: www.ofca.gov.hk/postercompetition.

The Communications Authority organises a series of mini exhibitions at different venues to educate the public on how to raise public alertness against telephone and SMS scams, as well as to promote consumer messages on smart use of various communications services. Details are as follows:

• Only information panels will be displayed at mini exhibitions
• Opening Hours: according to the opening hours of the venue

As part of the Consumer Education Campaign 2024/25, the Communications Authority has commissioned Spring-Time Experimental Theatre to stage a roving drama named "Anti-Scam Pioneer in Communications" at local primary and secondary schools. The topics covered by the drama performance are as follows:

• Stay vigilant against fraudulent calls and SMS
• Identify suspicious calls and verify the identity of SMS senders
• Incoming call filtering service and apps
• Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards
• Protection of your mobile phone's data

Synopsis

Click here  (Chinese version only)

Target

Senior primary students (P4 - P6) and junior secondary students (S1 - S3)

Date and Time of Performance

Every Monday to Friday (school days) from January 2025 to March 2025
(exact performance dates are subject to the arrangements with individual schools)

Performance-related Matters

• To be performed in Cantonese;
• Duration of each drama performance is 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.

Fees

Free of charge

The Communications Authority organises talks for secondary school students in order to raise the alertness of students against phone and SMS scams and how to use communications services smartly. Each talk lasts for 45 minutes (including Q&A session), and covers the following topics:

• Stay vigilant against fraudulent calls and SMS
• Identify suspicious calls and verify the identity of SMS senders
• Incoming call filtering service and apps
• Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards
• Smart use of 5G and mobile data services
• Protection of your mobile phone's data

Target

Junior secondary students (S1 - S3)

Date and Time of School Talks

Every Monday to Friday (school days) from January 2025 to March 2025
(exact dates are subject to the arrangements with individual schools)

Language

Cantonese

No. of participants per talk

No less than 60 students (depends on school venue size)

Fee

Free of charge

You are welcome to visit the "Smart Use of Communications Services" online exhibition website at https:// www.ofca.gov.hk/exhibition to learn more about the tips on smart use of communications services. You may also play the interesting quiz game on the website to test your knowledge on smart use of communications services.

In order to promote smart use of communications services at the community level, and remind the public to stay alert against telephone scams, the Communications Authority will continue to organise a series of community talks this year, covering a variety of informative topics as follows:

• Smart use of communications services
• Introduction of useful apps
• Introduction of digital payment
• Stay vigilant against fraudulent calls and SMS
• Call-filtering services
• Understanding consumer protection measures of communications services