Computer Scams

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Some of our members have recently been contacted by on-line scammers. Please be very wary of any phone calls or emails asking you for your personal details. Here are some of the ways in which scammers work. 

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A new email scam impersonating the NZTA is being sent around telling vehicle owners their licences are due.

The email directs the recipient to renew the funds through clicking a 'Renew Now' button at the bottom corner of the email. It then takes the individual to fake website that gets them to fill in personal details.

CERT NZ, the government authority responsible for cyber security said in a tweet, that anyone who receives this email should report it directly to Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

How to spot a phishing scam:
- NZTA will only send an email through if an individual has contacted them first.
- Email addresses will always end in @nzta.govt.nz, @enews.nzta.govt.nz or @reply.nzta.govt.nz.
- The email may be missing specific details that the NZTA will have on file: such as your plate number, the date your vehicle license is due and vehicle make and model.
- Hover over buttons and links to see if the pop-up will take you to a genuine government (.govt.nz) website

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Car Registration Scam

You will receive an email saying that your car is due for Registration. It will look very official and as if from the Ministry of Transport. It asks you to fill out a form and your bank account details, or it may just ask you to pay a certain amount by internet banking. The email does not usually have your actual Car Registration number. Check when your Registration is due, or with the Ministry of Transport if in doubt. 

 

False Purchases Scam

You will receive an automated phone call, supposedly from your bank, saying that there is a payment on your Visa or Mastercard from overseas that you may not have made. They will tell you the amount and the payee - eg. “Did you recently purchase something on E-bay for $1,210?” You are then asked to press ''Hash 1'' on your phone if you have not authorised the payment.  Victims who follow the instruction will then be connected to a human operator who will try to elicit information that could be used to defraud.  So beware. 

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If you think you may have unwittingly compromised your bank account, contact your bank immediately.

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Text Message Scam: In the text message, you are told that they have tried to deliver a parcel to your address and gives a fake track and trace number. The scammers direct you to a website tracktrace-newzealand.blogspot.com, which asks for a tracking number. This then directs you to another page that claims that the status for the package is pending in Auckland and that a delivery fee of $3.25 has not been paid.  Those who click on ''pay shipping'' are then re-directed to another website 1superprize.com which asks for the user's details and to pick a payment method.

$3.25 may not seem like a lot, but when scammers target enough people it adds up quickly. Plus, you're handing over your credit card and personal details." 

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False Website Scam:  The website that you wish to buy a service or product from may not be the authentic website.  

eg. There is a false website for Norton Antivirus software.  Not only will you lose your money, but your computer could be compromised. Check that website address is the genuine one. 

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Scammers are trying to get payment or personal details from you. Some will say they are from a Government Department (IRD) and you are due a refund. They ask that you give them your Bank Account number and pin number and they will deposit the payment into your account. Say you will phone the IRD direct.

 

Or they may say that your telephone or electricity account is overdue and your phone or electricity will be cut off the next day if you don’t pay immediately. This puts pressure on, and some people panic and give the information the scammer wants. Say you will phone the company and check it out for yourself.

 

Some scammers say they are from Microsoft and that your computer is infected with a virus, and they will help you get rid of it if you give them your computer IP address or your password. They can gain access to your computer from another location and send emails to your friends. One scam is that they email your friends and tell your friends that you are on holiday, and you have lost your credit cards and need some money. Your friend may supposedly forward the money to you, but of course it goes into the scammer's account. 

 

If you receive an email like that, supposedly from a friend, they will tell you where to send the money to help your friend or ask you to purchase i-tune gift cards and send them to an address. Sometimes they are sending the email from an address similar to your friends, but sometimes it may seemingly be going to your friend’s address, but it has been hacked. Get in touch with your friend some other way.

 

A scammer may send out an email saying you have won a lottery, or that a store is sending you a voucher as you have been a good customer. You just have to provide certain details to claim your winnings!  Or they may say that if you pay them a certain amount you will receive amazing discounts from certain hotels.  These discounts could be non-existent. Do not reply. 

 

Be wary if you are buying tickets for events and make sure you choose legitimate websites to buy them from. Otherwise you may not receive the tickets, or the tickets aren’t legitimate.

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Remember, these people are thieves. Do not hesitate to hang up on them, or if you have an email that does not make sense, and rings warning bells, delete it. Do not open any attachments.