What are banking scams?
Banking scams involve the use of technology to obtain access to
consumer's personal information and banking access details in order
to empty a person's bank accounts.
Some common variants of banking scams
This scam appears in email form. A customer receives an
unsolicited email apparently from their New Zealand retail bank
seeking personal banking information. The link within the
email goes to a website set up by the scam operators to mimic the
bank's authentic website.
Banks have advised consumers not to respond to these emails.
The banks do not communicate with customers through email or request
personal information in an unsecure environment.
Skimming involves the fitting of a device or devices to an ATM or
EFTPos terminal which collects information from the magnetic strip
on cards. In order to make replica cards and to withdraw funds
from bank accounts the thief must also obtain the card's PIN number.
This is done through either the use of hidden cameras, mirrors or
through thieves observing the card in use and noting the PIN number.
Consumers can protect themselves from this type of scam by simply
hiding the entry of their pin from anyone who may be observing them
complete a transaction.
Scamwatch does not receive reports on these types of scams.
If you believe you have been the target of a banking scam you should
contact your Bank immediately. If you believe an ATM or EFTPos
terminal has been tampered with contact the bank who owns the
equipment and the
New Zealand Police.
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