Police have been notified that an automated phone scam targeting the Auckland area has been stopped.
Numerous reports have been received about the scam where an automated message claiming to be from Police threatens the recipient with arrest if they do not pay money owed to Inland Revenue.
More than 2400 calls were made to New Zealand phones before telecommunications company Vocus Group detected the campaign and was able to stop it.
“These scammers are persistent and may try again using a different number or method, so if you receive a call and something doesn’t seem right, hang up," Detective Sergeant Damian Rapira-Davies says.
“You can always call a government agency, bank or organisation back using the number on their official website.
“We recommend people look after their personal details in the same way they would their wallet and personal possessions."
Vocus Group CTO Adrian Dick said the company uses sophisticated scam monitoring tools, and was quickly able to block the number being used for the scam calls and then alert other telecommunications providers and the Police High Tech Crime Group.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of any crime, in person or online, should report the matter to their local Police.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre