Core Viewpoint - Alipay has issued a warning regarding service providers impersonating its official account for business expansion and collaboration, which has severely impacted the normal operations of Alipay's Life Number service [1][2][4]. Summary by Sections Alipay's Announcement - Alipay's open platform announced that some service providers have been impersonating its Life Number official account for business activities, which has disrupted normal operations [1][4]. - The platform emphasized that it has not authorized any third party to act as "exclusive agents" or "officially designated" representatives for commercial activities [4]. Legal Actions and User Warnings - Alipay stated it reserves the right to pursue legal action against those misusing its name, including demands to cease infringement and compensation for damages [4]. - Users and partners are urged to verify service provider qualifications through official channels and report suspicious activities [4]. Context of Misinformation - This announcement is part of a broader trend where multiple payment institutions, including Alipay and China UnionPay, have issued statements to clarify misinformation circulating online [3][7]. - In February, Alipay addressed false claims about a video suggesting that funds could be stolen by merely touching a phone in a pocket, which was confirmed to be staged [6]. Other Institutions' Responses - Other financial institutions, such as China UnionPay and Dahua Bank, have also released statements to combat misinformation and protect users from scams [7][8]. - The digital currency research institute of the People's Bank of China has refuted rumors about the establishment of a digital RMB bank and recruitment of digital currency promoters [8].