Everyday, scammers try to break into our lives through email, text or online. They steal from us by posing as legitimate businesses we use regularly, such as our bank or the brands we love.
Playing to your emotions, scammers tap into your sense of fear and get you to react and hand over your personal information and money.
It can be hard to tell if you're being phished or dealing with an imposter, but you can stop a scam if you spot the signs and shut down the discussion before it can get started.
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re encouraging all New Zealanders to trust their instincts and avoid scams by looking out for the warning signs.
Stop them, before they start
If something’s not right, it could be a scam. It's ok to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
Know how to shut down scams before they start
Unexpected calls that pose as a trusted brand
Spoofing involves disguising a communication or identity.
Scammers can spoof you by posing as a legitimate trusted business. They make direct contact with you to gain access to information and money. Banking impersonation scams can come out of the blue.
They exploit your trust and deliver a sense of urgency and deliver links and ask for personal information that provides access to your account.
If something’s not right and you’re asked for personal information or money, shut the scammer down. Hang up and contact your bank using the number on your card, the website or via your banking app.
Hang up and reach your bank the way you normally would.
Job ad scams
Recruitment scams often involve fake online job ads on social platforms and untrusted job portals offering high-paying jobs.
Scammers can see what jobs you are searching for online and show up on social platforms and untrusted job portals offering high-paid, start now opportunities.
Often, they ask for money or unnecessary information before submitting an application. If a job’s coming to you and it’s too good to be true.
Move on, keep looking.
Sketchy links that lead to scams
Scammers pose as legitimate businesses and deliver bogus links and pressure. They come out of the blue, exploit your trust and deliver a sense of urgency and ask for personal information that provides access to your accounts and money.
Don’t click on suspicious links. Reach the business the way you normally would.
'Phishy' deals too good to be true
Sneaky phishing scams which clone your favorite websites can target and catch you off guard with fake promo codes and too good to be true offers.
The allure of low prices and great deals can be hard to resist with ads pushing free gifts and time bound offers in exchange for personal information and payment.
If you see an ad that looks too good to be true, move on and keep looking.
Get scam alerts on Facebook with Scamwatch
Every day we are more and more exposed to scams at home, at work and at play. One way you can protect yourself is by staying up to date with the latest scams. Follow our Scamwatch page on Facebook for all the latest scam news and updates.
