Dr Wise on Online Investing

The SFC today publishes the April issue of Dr Wise’s Column, Be Smart When Investing Online.

In this issue, Dr Wise explains that some scam websites imitate genuine websites of brokers by using their logos or replicating their webpages.  Others try to look legitimate by providing links to the websites of other reputable financial institutions with which they have no affiliations.  Investors are lured to give their personal identifiers, which these fraudsters may use to operate their trading accounts.

Dr Wise also reminds investors not to access their trading account from a computer in a public place. Investors are also advised not to use links from Internet search engines to access brokers’ websites.  Instead, they should type the website address into the browser or access through bookmarked addresses in their own computers.  It is also important to select a password or login ID that is difficult to guess, usually a combination of letters and numbers.  Investors should also consider making use of enhanced authentication measures, e.g. the e-Certs, offered by some brokers.    

Dr Wise is a fictitious character. He represents the collective wisdom and knowledge of market specialists and experts at the SFC. Dr Wise, through his column, talks to investors about the key issues of investing and regulatory thoughts.
 
Dr Wise’s Column is published on the last Tuesday of every month.  From time to time, additional articles may be published on topical issues.  The column is posted under the “Features & Dr Wise” section of the SFC-operated Electronic Investor Resources Centre at www.eirc.hk.  Investors are welcome to send their feedback and questions to Dr Wise by email at investor.info@sfc.hk.
 
Ends
 
Note:

1. News media are welcome to carry the column with acknowledgement of the source of the information.