Scam Alert
Christchurch earthquake: scam emails already surfacing.
![[image] scamwatch.](http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scams/images/scams-target-you.gif/image_preview)
Sadly, Scamwatch and NetSafe have already received reports of scammers using the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.
The emails, sent from "James McCoy" and claiming to be from "Donate4Charity NZ" use a legitimate UK-based charity organisation's name and website address.
The emails call for people to receive donated funds into their bank account from overseas for a 10% cut. This is a scam.
UPDATE The genuine website is now carrying a warning of this scam. But remember, the scammers will adapt and quite probably use another legitimate charity which they will claim to represent.
Signs that it's a scam
- the email comes from a generic email address (e.g. gmail.com)
- the content contains poor grammar and spelling
- offers a 10% cut for receiving funds.
Please delete these emails straight away, do not reply, and report them to us at Scamwatch.
Our advice on donating
- If you are contacted by a charity you have never heard of before, do some research before saying 'yes'.
- Do not be pressured or intimidated or made to feel guilty. Genuine charities would regard such tactics as bad for their reputations.
- Be cautious about 'soundalikes'. Those being organisations that play on legitimate charity names, such as "Oxfan".
The Charities Commission advises that it’s best to give to large, well-known charities and suggest if anyone ever has a doubt about donating to a charity, they can check it out on the Charities Register website.
See the Charities Commission website for information on how to donate.
Scam email example
