Scammers and robbers are becoming more sophisticated, so we need to be extra vigilant.

Scammers are trying everything they can to hack into computers to obtain people’s codes and passwords. It is necessary to take precautions and to set up extra security to be verified by you. For example, some members of the public are receiving scam letters from the Taxation Review Authority on Ministry letterhead claiming that other parties’ assets are stored in their trusts. These letters are fake and should be ignored. You may receive a notification from your bank asking for your code and password. These messages should be ignored. Some customers have received fake bank email messages asking them to upgrade their bank account to receive funds from a fake buyer on social media. Examples include:

● Payment is on hold until the verification process is completed.

● You have a pending payment of NZD 500.00.

● Notification additional payment received >>> Urgent step needed.

If you have someone contact you about buying an item on social media and then receive an email message, Do Not click on any of the links.

Remember

● The bank will never send you an email or text message with a link requesting you to click to log in.

● Scammers hide fake websites behind genuine-looking links.

● Always log in to Internet Banking through the bank's website or the bank's app, not from links in text messages or emails.

● A text from your bank is not a sign that their systems have been breached in any way - it simply means a scammer is impersonating their brand.

● Visit your bank's recognising scams page and watch their video to learn the common signs of a scam to look out for.

Thieves and robbers are becoming more sophisticated, often impersonating police officers, council workers or salespeople. Never let anyone into your house without proof of proper identification or authority. If you are unsure do not open the door.

Recently in Auckland, three guys wearing police uniforms entered a house occupied by international students, after presenting a fake search warrant. One of the thieves stayed with the students, pretending to question them about a tip-off concerning illegal firearms in the home, while the other two fake officers went through the home pocketing personal items including cash and car keys. Genuine police officers arrived around 30 minutes after the thieves left. The students were not able to return home for two days while police searched the property and looked for fingerprints. Police recommend anyone dealing with a representative or agency question their identification if they are unsure. If something does not feel right, contact the police as soon as possible.

Scams

There are many ways people try to scam you. The scams might be online, through email, the internet and social media or the scammers may come to your door or contact you by mail, phone or text.

Common scams include:

Phishing — an email or text that tries to trick you into providing your personal details.

Computer virus scams — where you get a phone call saying your computer has been infected with a virus, which the caller can fix if you give them your credit card details and remote access to your computer.

Investment scams — you are offered the chance of high returns for very little risk.

Inheritance or lottery and competition scams — where you’re told you’ve inherited or won money, but you need to pay a fee or taxes before you can get your winnings.

Online dating scams — where a person you have only met online and have become romantically attached to starts asking for money or wants your personal details.

Door-to-door scams — someone knocks on your door and offers to do a job for you for an upfront fee, and then does it badly or not at all.

Phone scams — someone calls pretending to be from a government department or a well-known company and asks for your personal information.

Identity theft — people try to find out your personal details and passwords so they can use your details to steal money or set up fake identities.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you think - or know – you have been scammed, report it to your bank and to NetSafe’s website. Call Freephone: 0508 638 723 (NZ only).

NetSafe will get back to you with advice and may also pass your report to another agency, such as the police or Consumer Protection. You can report a cyber security issue through CERT NZ. To protect yourself from scams, put security measures in place. On your phone and computer: use different, hard-to-guess passwords, such as a mix of numbers, letters, and upper and lower case. Put a PIN on your phone and do not reply to unsolicited emails or texts or click on links in them. Use security software on your computer and keep it up to date. Otherwise, report to complaint@spam.govt.nz

We must be more vigilant now than ever before for scams.