Police are warning members of the public to be aware of a phone scam that is currently taking place throughout New Zealand.
A number of reports have been received by Police across the country from people who have been targeted by the scammers who claim they are calling from Immigration New Zealand and that they are ‘wanted’ for tax evasion. They demand payment in the form of Apple iTunes cards, with deportation threatened.
“The callers are persistent and aggressive,” says Counties Manukau District Prevention Manager Inspector Dave Glossop. “They have personal details of the person they are scamming which could make the call sound genuine.”
The call may also appear to come from Immigration New Zealand, but it is not. Calls may also appear to come from an 04 (Wellington) or an 09 (Auckland) prefix.
Members of the public should be aware that New Zealand government agencies such as Immigration or Inland Revenue will never call, email or text demanding payment or threatening deportation. Banks will never call and ask for online banking passwords. These agencies will also never use money transfer services such as Western Union.
Indian nationals living in New Zealand are particularly targeted, while reports of people being targeted in the Tasman area are also emerging.
Police are aware of several cases where people have purchased between $500 and $5000 worth of iTunes vouchers for the scammers.
“Our advice to anyone who is targeted by this scam is to hang up immediately. Warn others and prevent your friends and family from becoming a victim of this scam,” says Mr Glossop
Police advice:
- Hang up immediately.
- If it doesn't seem right, be cautious, double-check details first.
- Do not pay money to anyone you have never met.
- Look after your personal details in the same way you would your wallet and other possessions. Your personal details are also very valuable to scammers, they will use your details to take out loans or run up debts if they can.
- Be aware of common scams. For example, banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland Revenue never email, call or text customers to ask for money to be sent using money transfer services. If you receive a request like that, it's a scam.
If you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately by visiting the Scamwatch website at www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/scams.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police
021 595 562