Hongkongers hit with unauthorised charges for new iPhone as 2 banks launch probes
Por Simpson Cheung — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Crime in Hong Kong Hong Kong Law and Crime Hongkongers hit with unauthorised charges for new iPhone as banks launch probes
Some report multiple transactions on their credit cards, while an expert says fraudsters may have exploited pre-order rush for Apple’s new iPhones
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Simpson Cheung Published: 3:20pm, 13 Sep 2026 Updated: 4:01pm, 13 Sep 2026
Scores of Hongkongers have complained about unauthorised transactions on credit cards used to pre-order Apple’s latest iPhones, prompting HSBC and Hang Seng Bank to launch investigations.
One internet user on the social media platform Threads said she received a message on Saturday night saying she had unauthorised transactions of HK$33,598 (US$4,280) from Apple on her HSBC credit card.
“When I called Apple customer service, they hung up on me immediately. What should I do?” she asked.
It took her half an hour to reach an HSBC customer service officer to suspend her credit card, and she subsequently filed a police report.
Another internet user said she had at least four unauthorised transactions with Apple of HK$11,499 each on her Hang Seng credit card.
“Only after browsing Threads did I realise so many people had their credit cards stolen tonight to buy an iPhone 18 Pro on Apple … After seeing the posts and checking my own card, I realised I fell victim to it too,” she said.
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