Police say an email currently circulating purporting to be from police and warning about a mobile phone scam is a hoax.
Detective Sergeant David Kennedy from Police National Headquarters says this week is Fraud Awareness Week and the email hoax is a timely reminder for people to be vigilant about unsolicited emails.
"There are a number of urban myths which circulate from time to time and this particular email is one of them," he said.
The email warns people about a scam where a person phones you on your mobile and tells you they are an engineer and then asks you to press #90 or #09 or a similar number. The email says once you do this they will then have access to your SIM card and be able to make calls at your expense.
The email is signed off by someone who says they are a police officer.
"There is no such scam operating and no such officer working for New Zealand Police" Mr Kennedy said.
"People should be on their guard for hoax emails - even ones warning against scams."
"Read the emails carefully and look for any indications that it is a hoax. For example the phone numbers at the end of this email are not New Zealand numbers.
"While it is admirable that people forward these warning emails on to friends and colleagues as a sort of public service, there needs to be some commonsense applied otherwise it is just feeding people's fears so that they can't go about their normal business without being constantly worried.
ENDS
A copy of the email hoax:
Dear All
If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he
or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile
line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call
immediately without pressing any numbers.
There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09
they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense.
Forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you
can, to stop it.
Many thanks for your time regarding this matter, take care and regards.
Phil Corris
Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer
Ext 496696 (Internal)
01524 596696 (External)