Stop and Think: is this for real?

Stop and Think: is this for real? That’s the message for Fraud Awareness Week 2018 and the New Zealand Bankers’ Association is urging people to do just that.

“Fraudsters are always coming up with new ways to steal our money. They trick people into handing over personal information. Once they have your bank account details and PIN or password they can access your identity and your money. In some cases they may try to scare or blackmail you into paying them or handing over information,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association acting chief executive Antony Buick-Constable.

“We strongly encourage people to stop and think, and ask themselves: is this for real?

“It’s okay to take some time and be a bit suspicious. For example, beware of email or phone calls from people you don’t know. Avoid clicking on email links or downloading unknown software. Don’t share PINs and passwords with anyone. Only give personal information to people and organisations you trust.

“Personal information includes your date of birth, address, driver’s licence and passport details, and bank statements. Anyone who asks for these out of the blue will likely be trying to scam you.

“Fraudsters may pretend to be your bank, a government agency, a retailer or someone you trust.

“Your bank will never ask you to disclose your log in details, password or PIN to staff over the phone, in an email or in person.”

For more tips on how to protect yourself and your money, see: https://www.nzba.org.nz/consumer-information/smarter-banking/fraud-safety-cybersecurity/

NZBA also has information about keeping yourself safe online here:
https://www.nzba.org.nz/consumer-information/fraud-protection/how-to-keep-yourself-safe-from-online-scams/

Fraud Awareness Week runs from 11 to 18 November. It is a cross-sector initiative encouraging people to recognise scams before they happen.

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