Phone scams targeting NYC Chinese communities exposed

Be fully alert and call the police immediately if you get a call from someone claiming to be from Chinese diplomatic missions for your personal and credit card information on various reasons. 

Chinese Consulate General in New York City Wednesday issued a phone scam warning on its official website to local Chinese communities.

Dozens of people from the Chinese community called the consulate for verification after receiving suspicious calls on Tuesday. 

"These phone calls are fraudulent, we've already reported the incidents to the New York Police Department," it said. 

"Do not disclose your Social Security number, credit cards number and bank account information to anyone who claims to be a staff from us," said the consulate, adding it never charges consular services fees via phone or smart phone app WeChat.

The New York metropolitan area is home to the largest ethnic Chinese population outside of Asia. As of 2015, the Chinese population in the city is estimated around 800,000.