- By Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a surge in reports at our public counter from members of the community who have been scammed after receiving what in hindsight was a suspicious phone call.
The amounts lost has varied from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to steal personal and financial information, often preying on trust and fear to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
The scams typically begin with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be from a trusted organisation, such as a bank, government agency, or even a utility company.
These callers often use urgency and pressure to convince victims to provide sensitive information like account numbers, PINs, or passwords.
In some cases, they may ask victims to transfer money to a “safe” account to protect their funds from supposed fraud.
These scams are becoming increasingly convincing. Callers often have basic personal information about their targets, making the calls seem legitimate. It’s vital to stay cautious.
Steps to take to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information: Banks will never ask for your PIN, password, or full account details over the phone.
- Verify the caller’s identity: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number from their official website.
- Avoid urgent requests: Be wary of anyone pressuring you to act quickly or transfer money.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Strengthen your account security by enabling extra verification methods.
Victims of scams should contact their bank and report the incident to Netsafe or the police. Acting swiftly can help mitigate losses and stop further fraudulent activity.
Remember, a cautious approach to any unsolicited call can prevent devastating financial and emotional consequences.
Stay informed and share this warning with friends and family, including older members, who are over-represented as victims of these increasingly common scams.
For further advice, visit the official Consumer Protection website at www.consumerprotection.govt.nz.
