In the wake of Hong Kong’s iPhone credit card scam, experts break down data security risks, 3DSecure and practical online shopping safeguards
3-MIN READ3-MINLeopold ChenPublished: 5:17pm, 14 Sep 2026More than 700 Hongkongers were shocked to discover that their credit cards had been used to place unauthorised orders for Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro series handsets over the weekend.
Although banks reassured victims they would not be charged as long as the cards were used with due care and the transactions were proven to be unauthorised, the incident still caused widespread concern over credit card security.
Over the weekend, many social media users in Hong Kong reported that their credit cards had been compromised to place orders for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series, which opened for pre-order on Saturday evening.
Police confirmed receiving over 700 reports involving HK$14.7 million (US$1.87 million) in unauthorised transactions.
