The Government today announced that as of 5pm yesterday, the Cash Payout Scheme has received 5.5 million registrations since its launch on June 21.

Of these registrations, close to 3 million and about 1.7 million were submitted through Internet banking and banks' websites.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the percentage of electronic registrations submitted through Internet banking is higher than expected, which helps to streamline the banks’ verification procedures and speed up the registration process.

“About 4.3 million eligible registrants who made electronic registrations via banks from June 21 to 30 will start receiving payment via their selected personal bank accounts within two to three days from July 6, which is earlier than the original date of July 8,” Mr Chan explained.

"Registering electronically through banks is the most secure and convenient way to register and also the quickest way to receive payment. People submitting electronic registration from July 1 will receive payment about one week after registration," he added.

The Government emphasised that the public should guard against scammers who may try to obtain personal data or money by deceit using the Cash Payout Scheme as an excuse.

The Government and banks will not call members of the public to get information for the purpose of registering for the scheme, nor will they ask for personal data via email, SMS or embedded hyperlinks.

The public may visit the scheme’s website or call 18 2020 for detailed information.