Frequently Asked Questions about Online Submission of Proof of Debt

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1. Q: Who can make use of this online service and what users need to pay attention to?
A:This online service is available for those bankruptcy / winding-up cases in which the Official Receiver acts as the trustee / liquidator. A creditor of the relevant cases (“the Creditor”) or a person authorized to act on the Creditor’s behalf can use this online service to submit a proof of debt to the Official Receiver.

After a proof of debt is submitted via the Public Portal for creditors of ESS, it would be further processed by the Official Receiver’s Office including verification of the online payment. Submission of a proof of debt would be formally accepted after the processes involved have been completed, and payment of the prescribed fees is effected and received (if applicable). For proof of debt which is to be submitted for specific time-sensitive purpose (e.g. for voting at a scheduled meeting of creditors/contributories or for dividend purpose), users should pay attention to the required processing time as above-mentioned and consider to submit the proof of debt through other appropriate means such as by hand for meeting the relevant deadline where necessary.
2. Q: How to submit a proof of debt online?
A:You can visit Public Portal for creditors of ESS by clicking the link (https://ess-public.oro.gov.hk/creditor) to submit a proof of debt online to the Official Receiver’s Office
3. Q: What are the fees for submitting a proof of debt via Public Portal for creditors of ESS?
A:A prescribed fee of HK$35 must be paid upon filing of a proof of debt, otherwise the proof of debt will not be accepted. The said prescribed fee is however not payable for proof of debt not exceeding HK$250 or for employees’ claim for wages or salary.
4. Q: What are the payment methods in ESS?
A:Online payment by Bank Cards (including VISA, MasterCard, JCB and China UnionPay), PPS or FPS are accepted.
5. Q: What file formats are acceptable as attachments to a proof of debt submitted via Public Portal for creditors of ESS? Are there any limits on file size and number of files attached to a proof of debt?
A:The following file formats are acceptable:-
  1. Portable Document Format (.pdf)
  2. Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
  3. Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)
  4. Image (.jpg, .jpeg, .png)

The total size of the files uploaded must not exceed 25MB.
6. Q: How can I sign the proof of debt on Public Portal for creditors of ESS?
A:Creditors makes a submission of their Proof of Debt via the Public Portal for creditors of the ESS must with valid digital signature.

Types of digital signature acceptable to be used in ESS are listed below:-
  1. “iAM Smart+”;
  2. Hongkong Post e-Cert (Personal);
  3. Digi-Sign Personal ID-Cert Class 1 or Personal ID-Cert Class 8.

If you are a user of “iAM Smart+” service, you can sign the proof of debt by the “iAM Smart+” mobile app.

If you have a valid digital certificate issued by the two recognized certification authorities, namely the Hongkong Post Certification Authority and Digi-Sign Certification Services Limited, you can sign the proof of debt by uploading the digital certificates and entering the relevant password.
7. Q: What should I do after submitting the proof of debt via Public Portal for creditors of ESS?
A:Please download the copy of the proof of debt submitted by clicking “Download Zip File” for keeping a copy of the submitted proof of debt and acknowledgements of form submission thereof. If any payment of fees has been made, you would also download the receipt by clicking “Print Receipt” for record.
8. Q: If I want to add, revise and/or supplement the proof of debt or relevant supporting documents, can I submit the additional/superseding/supplementary form/document again?
A:No additional/superseding/supplementary form/document could be submitted again via Public Portal (Creditors) of ESS. You should contact our hotline 2867 2448 or responsible case officer during office hours for assistance.
9. Q: The payment of the fee for submission of proof of debt was unsuccessful. What should I do?
A:Please make a fresh submission and settle the fee as per on-screen instructions.
10. Q: What should I do if I would like to submit a proof of debt but the trustee / liquidator of the case is not Official Receiver?
A:For bankruptcy / winding-up cases in which the Official Receiver is not the trustee / liquidator, please contact the trustee / liquidator direct in this connection.
11. Q: Is there any hotline for public enquiry on online submission of proof of debt?
A:The enquiry hotline of the Official Receiver's Office is 2867 2448. For enquiries, you may call our hotline during office hours, i.e. 8:30 am to 5:45 pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays.