Tips to avoid scams

People in New Zealand are losing millions of dollars to scammers each year – and this is just the figures reported to Netsafe so  the actual figure is likely much higher. There are often similar characteristics to most scams so we’ve put our advice together to help you. Netsafe’s Guide to Scam Spotting An online scam…

A zoomed in picture of the New Zealand $50 note with a moustache icon in place of Sir Apirana Ngata's real moustache

People in New Zealand are losing millions of dollars to scammers each year – and this is just the figures reported to Netsafe so  the actual figure is likely much higher. There are often similar characteristics to most scams so we’ve put our advice together to help you.

Netsafe’s Guide to Scam Spotting

An online scam is any scheme designed to trick people out of money or steal their personal information that uses, or is delivered via, digital communications. Here are a few tell-tale signs you might be being scammed:

  • Contact that is out of the blue – even if the person says they’re from a legitimate organisation like the bank, an embassy or your internet provider
  • Getting told there’s a problem with your phone, laptop or internet connections  – often they will offer to fix your device or say they are from your phone or internet company
  • Being asked for passwords – legitimate organisations will never ask for the passwords to your online accounts
  • Needing to verify your account or details – don’t respond or click on any links in the communication even if it looks like it’s from a real organisation
  • Trying to get you to move outside of an online trading or booking website or app (like Air BnB) – don’t pay outside of the normal website or app processes
  • Offering money or a prize in exchange for something up front – they might say that it’s a “processing” fee or something similar
  • Being asked for money by friends/partners you’ve met online – this is a very common tactic, do not pay the money
  • Unusual ways to pay for something – scammers try to use payments that can’t be traced such as pre-loaded debit cards, gift cards, bitcoins, iTunes cards or money transfer systems
  • Asking for remote access to your device – never do this unless you have actively sought out the service they are providing
  • Pressuring you to make a decision quickly – this could be to avoid something bad (e.g. account being closed, trouble with the IRD) or to take advantage of something good (a deal or investment)

Timing

Often a scam works because of timing. For example, getting a call saying that there is a problem with your internet when you have actually been having problems with the connection. The best thing you can do when you notice any of the signs above is to stop, get some advice or look for more information.

Doing your research

You could also do some research to find information using some of the details you’ve been told. Try searching “problem with my computer scam”, “cheap concert ticket scam”, “verify my account email scam” or “NZ Chinese embassy scam” and see if the name of the organisation or person offering them appears.

If the person contacting you has said that they are from a legitimate organisation and you’re not sure if it’s genuine, you can also contact that organisation to check. Make sure that you use the phone number or email they have on their official website or in the phone book – and do not use the one given by the person or in the email they have sent you.

What are the worst scams?

The scams that are most reported to Netsafe are scams like tech support scams, event ticket scams and cold calling scams. The scams where people lose the most money are usually romance scams, investment scams and invoice scams.

Protecting your information

Keep your personal information secure and be sure to think carefully before entering your details online, or giving them to someone.  Protect information that can be used to access your accounts, build a fake online presence or impersonate you including:

    • Login details and passwords to any online account including banking, email, social media and trading sites
    • Bank account and credit card details
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Birthdate
    • Personal information linked to the security questions on your online accounts
    • Driver’s license
    • Passport details

Report a scam

Netsafe can’t open investigations or track scammers, but we can offer advice for people who have lost money in a scam or think they are about to. This includes letting you know the steps you can take and advice about how to stay safe in future. You can report a scam to www.netsafe.org.nz/report.

Report a scam

If you receive spam you can report it to the Department of Internal Affairs by:

  • Email spam: Report email spam at reportspam.co.nz
  • Text spam: Report text spam for free on your phone by forwarding the spam text message to 7726.

The Department will contact you with details on how to complete a report.

More information

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