Scam Alerts
Archives
The Scam Alerts section contains information about scams that have been notified to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, or have been publicised in the media.
Please note that this list does not cover all scams which are currently circulating.
Remember - scams target you, and you can both recognise a scam, and protect yourself and others from being scammed! If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!
19 July
IRD issues hoax email and phishing site warning.
13 June
Christchurch earthquake alert: phone and email scammers.
2 May
Sony advises gamers to monitor their credit card use.
29 April
Car dealers targeted in money transfer scam.
15 April
Christchurch earthquake: continue to be aware of phone scammers.
13 April
Fake Google Anniversary email scam.
14 March
Christchurch earthquake: latest scams update.
9 March
Christchurch earthquake: kiwibank issues scam email warning.
8 March
Christchurch earthquake: UN scam email warning.
3 March 2011
Telephone scams - beware callers offering to reclaim money for you.
3 March 2011
Inland Revenue tax refund phishing scam.
1 March 2011
Christchurch earthquake: ANZ hoax email and telephone calls.
24 February 2011
Christchurch earthquake: forged Red Cross phishing websites.
23 February 2011
Christchurch earthquake: scam emails already surfacing.
22 February 2011
Computer virus cold-callers still targeting New Zealanders.
14 February 2011
Holiday scratchcard scam resurfaces.
26 January 2011
Toyota warns of text message scam.
13 January 2011
Flat hunters urged to be careful when responding to adverts.
11 January 2011
Consumer Alert: Caution urged over offers to buy investments.
20 December 2010
Beware: dodgy phone calls from 'Government departments'.
2 Dec 2010
17 November 2010
Computer 'fixer' scammers going global.
17 November 2010
Caution urged over holiday scratch-card 'wins'.
8 November 2010
This story published in the UK's "Daily Mail" shows how scams really do target anyone and everyone.
4 November 2010
Scammers continue to cold-call people about fixing their computers.
1 November 2010
Phone call saying you've won a holiday? Or an offer of an amazingly cheap holiday?
1 November 2010
Scammers continue to keep hitting the phones; including to 'fix' computers.
28 October 2010
Scam phishing emails are claiming to come from Inland Revenue.
20 October 2010
Scam phishing emails are claiming to come from the NZ Transport Agency.
12 October 2010
Ministry of Justice warns of scam callers offering 'fine refunds'.
30 September 2010
Caution urged again about computer 'fixers' cold-calling.
30 September 2010
DIA warns people about telephone scammers
27 September 2010
27 September 2010
Try News.com.au's financial scam awareness test.
17 September 2010
SBS bank warns consumers of scam phone calls.
16 September 2010
New Zealand Bankers Association warns of scam telephone calls.
7 September 2010
Canterbury earthquake donations - don't give to scammers.
7 September 2010
Mystery shopper scam doing the rounds.
3 September 2010
Second Yellow Pages scam hits.
2 September 2010
Hong Kong Jockey Club lottery scam.
13 August 2010
Letter from a lawyer saying a distant relative has died??
11 August 2010
Caution urged over computer fixers cold-calling.
9 August 2010
Yellow Page bogus fax scam targetting small businesses.
29 July 2010
Avoid text message scammers. They even target us!
19 July 2010
The Commerce Commission warns that not all holiday voucher schemes are legit.
8 July 2010
What's dumpster diving? Vishing? Pharming? They're all techniques used by scammers. Read the story on Stuff.co.nz
30 June 2010
Federal Trade Commission warns of money mules operating.
30 June 2010
Be wary of tax refund scams 'direct to your credit card', it's likely a phishing scam.
30 June 2010
24 June 2010
Watch Richard Parlett from Scamwatch talk to Paul Henry on TVNZ's Breakfast show earlier this week.
24 June 2010
Beware of 'The Catalogue Club NZ'.
24 June 2010
Businesses warned to be aware of telephone switchboard scam.
24 June 2010
KFC targeted in hoax email scam.
24 June 2010
Beware of text scammers using the World Cup to hook you in.
23 June 2010
McDonalds are again warning people to be wary of filling out any customer satisfaction survey.
23 June 2010
Honda are alerting people of a scam that tells people they have won £1,750,000.
18 June 2010
Worked or holidayed in South Africa? Your tax ‘refund’ may not be as good as you think…
8 June 2010
Rugby New Zealand 2011 warns consumers to be on their guard and purchase only from legitimate sources for the Rugby World Cup ticket sales.
18 May 2010
McDonalds NZ customer satisfaction survey scam update
McDonalds NZ has brought to our attention that a fraudulent customer satisfaction survey is in circulation again by email. The email is not from McDonald's New Zealand.
In the survey customers are asked to enter their credit card and contact details to receive $90 credited to "your account". McDonald's NZ would never request bank or credit card details.
14 May 2010
WA mum loses $9000 to Nigerian internet scammer impersonating WA regulator
4 May 2010
Warning from victim who fell for internet ID scam
3 May 2010
Scammers steal details and offer properties for rent
30 April 2010
Campbell Live video report on the consequences for one person who responded to an advance-fee-fraud scam.
World cup website warning
More information on Ticketing Scams
19 April 2010
Net scammers 'posing as landlords to steal identities', police warn
16 April 2010
Small businesses warned to be wary over buy-out deals
Small businesses in Australia have been targeted by locally-based scammers who claim they have a buyer for their business - located in China - who want to purchase their business to satisfy immigration requirements.
They claim there’s "no fee" for setting up the deal, but if the owner goes ahead they are told they need to pay several thousand dollars to have documents translated into Chinese to secure the deal. If the business goes ahead and pays this, the sale then ‘falls through’ and all the business is left with is a set of documents in Chinese.
This scam is a hybrid of the Upfront Money Transfer scam and Jobs and Employment scam.
- Media report | Invoice scams gather millions
25 March 2010
Reminder : Free listings in exhibition guides could prove expensive
Exhibitors need to be wary of companies asking you to update your company details on their website and/or offering their services in international exhibitor guides. If you choose to participate you must read all small print carefully - there are often costs involved which might not appear obvious on first glance.
10 March 2010
Hoax email targeting Inland Revenue customers
A student is warning others of the dangers of online selling after a scam left her $2500 out of pocket.
If you have given your details to the people behind this hoax, contact Inland Revenue on 0800 227 774.
Any suspicious emails targeting Inland Revenue customers should be reported to phishing@ird.govt.nz.
4 March 2010
Read more about Jobs & Employment scams.
2 March 2010
Nigerian-based scammers pose as NZ fraud officers
23 February 2010
Warning as ad scam continues
In January a fraudster claiming to be from Neighbourhood Support had been ringing tradesmen and a rest home to discuss advertising they supposedly bought before christmas.
The scam involves billing firms for advertisements in a magazine that does not exist.
He said these were to appear in a Neighbourhood Support publication called Safer Communities.
Since the Taranaki Daily News story on the man in late January, North Taranaki Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Debbie Gut said she has received calls telling similar stories from Taranaki, Auckland, Wellington and near Dunedin.
Beware of bogus computer ‘fixers’
Consumers and businesses are being warned to be on their guard when dealing with bogus IT companies who phone out of the blue to offer technical support.
We have had reports of some companies deliberately making it appear that your computer has a virus, then offering to ‘fix’ the problem…for a fee.
Ensure that you only use reputable virus protection software and deal only with IT companies who you know and trust. Calls out of the blue should be avoided and never give over your credit card details unless you are completely satisfied an offer is genuine.
Read more about different types of internet scams
18 February 2010
Email scam draws in UN
Brisbane Police have issued a warning of a new email scam which suggests the United Nations will compensate those previously ripped off by internet fraud.
Tens of thousands of dollars have been lost in scams by hundreds of people - known as advance fee fraud - which request they send money to West Africa.
The police say scammers are sending out a new email telling people that, following a recent UN meeting, a decision has been made to compensate victims.
The recipients are then asked to provide basic financial details in order to be considered for the scheme.
Anyone who receives this email is asked to delete it immediately.
9 February 2010
Students warned to watch out for scammers
Students are being warned that when looking for this years’ pad to be on their guard. Scammers are known to operate on rental property and flat-share websites - so always be on your guard when looking for accommodation.
Never send money overseas, even if your prospective landlord claims to be on ‘holiday’, and don’t rent a property or a room unless you’ve seen it first.
More information on Flatmate scam
8 February 2010
Carbon Credit Scam threat to NZ firms
26 January 2010
McDonalds NZ customer satisfaction survey scam update
McDonalds NZ has brought to our attention that a fraudulent customer satisfaction survey is in circulation for the 7th time by email. The email is not from McDonald's New Zealand.
In the survey customers are asked to enter their credit card and contact details to receive a $50 McDonald's voucher. McDonald's NZ would never request bank or credit card details.
20 January 2010
Natural disaster scams
Sadly, natural disasters are often the trigger for fake charity scams. Scammers were asking for money immediately after the tsunami and the same is likely to occur with the recent earthquake in Haiti. Only give money to charities you know and trust.
- Visit the NZ Aid website which has a page of charity contacts you can donate to.
- More information on charity scams
Scam Alert and Media Releases Archives
