Don’t get caught by phishing scams this
summer
Never give anyone your PIN or internet
banking username or password said the New Zealand Bankers’
Association as we head into the summer holidays.
“Your
bank will never ask you for this confidential
information,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association
chief executive Kirk Hope.
“You should never disclose
passwords and other security information to anyone. If you
do, you may be liable for unauthorised transactions.
“Online scammers use a range of ways to trick people
into handing over personal information. Once they have that
information, such as your account number, log-in details, or
password, they can access your identity and your money.”
So-called “phishing” attempts are usually made by
email or phone. Text message phishing is called
“smishing”.
“Phishers” try to disguise themselves
as a bank, or other trusted person or agency, and use
convincing reasons to get personal details. They say they
require the personal information for reasons such as
security upgrades, verifying account details, and offering
refunds.
Tips to avoid phishing scams:
•
Logon to internet banking by typing in your bank’s full
web address. Do not use links that appear to take you to
your bank’s website.
• Keep your anti-virus
and firewall software up to date.
• Don’t give
out account details over the phone unless you made the call
and you trust that the number you called is genuine. Ask for
a name and number so you can call them back, and check that
number against a number you know to be genuine.
•
Don’t reply to, click on any links, or open any files in
spam emails. Don’t call any numbers in spam emails.
• Never send your personal details or accounts
or passwords in an email.
• Check your account
statements and credit card bill for unauthorised
transactions.
• If you suspect you’ve been
taken in by a scam, contact your bank immediately.
“Scammers are always developing new ways to get our
money so it pays to be on guard. Beware lottery scams and
offers of money from people you don’t know. If it seems
too good to be true, it is. If you haven’t bought a ticket,
you can’t win. Scammers have also been known to hack email
accounts, pretend to be someone else, then email their
friends asking for money,” added Hope.
More information
about banking and phishing scams is available here.
ENDS