Security and Scams

Invoice scams typically involve scammers gaining access to a business’s email account and altering payment details on invoices which are then sent to clients. The invoices are then paid into the scammers account instead of the businesses.

Another version of this scam involves scammers impersonating someone (usually senior) within a business and asking a colleague to transfer a payment to an account which the scammer has set up (usually via domestic or overseas wire transfer).

It is important to remain vigilant especially if you receive a suspicious email or if payment instructions change. For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, please visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/fake-invoice-scam/

Tech support scams typically involve scammers contacting victims pretending to be from businesses such as tech companies, telecommunications or internet services providers. They will usually try to get you to install software on your computers, mobile phone or other electronic device, which will give them to access to your accounts.

For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/tech-support-scam/

Investment scams typically involve scammers contacting victims, by phone, SMS, email, social media or scam websites, with fake investment opportunities.

Be wary of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true. For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/articles/how-to-spot-an-investment-scam/

Online shopping scams involve scammers setting up fake websites or social media pages offering non-existent or fake goods on social media pages. The goods are often advertised at reduced prices to entice victims.

For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/online-shopping/

Relationship or "Romance scams" often involve scammers using dating websites, email, SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger apps or social media to contact unsuspecting victims.

Once contact is made, scammers will use various techniques to try and gain the victim's trust over a period of time before they eventually start asking for money. Often this will involve a sudden emergency where they need funds sent to them because they are stuck somewhere or need help paying a bill. Some of the more common stories used by scammers are:

• The scammer is in the military overseas and needs money for living expenses, to secure his/her release, or to pay for projects etc.
• The scammer is overseas and is involved in an antiques, gold, art or gemstones business and needs money to get the goods out of the country.
• The scammer needs money for airfares to visit the victim.
• • The scammer is overseas finalising a late relative's estate and requires funds to assist with funeral expenses or other costs.
  • The scammer is stuck overseas and needs money urgently.

For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/romance-scams/

Prize and lottery scams typically involve scammers sending emails, SMS messages, social media messages, or letters to victims, advising that they have won a lottery, sweepstake, prize or award etc. that they never entered, or had any knowledge of.

Victims are usually told that in order to collect their winnings, they will be required to make an up-front payment for various reasons, including taxes, stamp duty, insurance costs, courier charges, bank fees etc.

• Be wary of messages regarding competitions or lotteries that you have not entered.
• Prize winners are not usually required to pay fees or taxes in order to receive their prize.
• Conducting your own internet research will often highlight common lottery and other prize related scams.

For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/prizescam/

Email and text message scams typically involve scammers trying to steal your personal information. This is known as ‘phishing’. Scammers will often send you a link to a fake website which looks genuine. Once on the website, the scammers will ask you to enter account details, which they can then steal.

For more information on how to protect yourself from these scams, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/phishing/