The fraud education arm of the Commission for Financial Capability supports the call for a centralised agency to combat
the rapid rise in scams.
CFFC Fraud Education Manager Bronwyn Groot says New Zealanders need a one stop shop where they can report scams and
receive help and support.
“The system is fractured with a number of agencies covering different types of fraud and few providing support for
victims,” says Groot, who works one on one with victims of all types of scams. “A central point could provide a rapid
response to reports to stop money going overseas, help enforcement to track offenders, and provide a wrap-around
recovery plan for victims and their families.”
Netsafe CEO Martin Cocker called for a central agency in the release of his organisation’s latest figures, which show
New Zealanders lost $33 million to online scams and fraud last year, triple the amount stolen in 2017.
Groot agrees with Cocker that these figures represent the tip of the iceberg, as many scams go unreported due to victims
feeling embarrassed, and also confused about where they can lodge a report and being disillusioned at the point of
reporting.
“Fraud is not just about financial loss,” says Groot. “It takes a long-lasting emotional toll that affects their
psychological wellbeing. Victims need somewhere to go where they feel safe and confident that they will be supported and
action will be taken to investigate the fraud they’ve been subjected to.”
Groot says the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is an example of the kind of agency New Zealand needs; it investigates fraud,
provides analysis, shares information with other agencies in that country and overseas, issues scam alerts and provides
support for victims.
There were several agencies in New Zealand that could be developed into a national response centre, and Groot would
support them with her work in mapping individual scams and supporting victims.
“It’s not just about stopping millions of dollars being siphoned overseas every year, it’s also about looking after the
wellbeing of Kiwis who have these offences committed against them.”
ends