With Scammers getting more clever by the day it is important to be able to know how to protect yourself online. Here are a few tips on how to stay safe.
Trust your instincts – if it feels wrong, it probably is. Try Avoiding paying for items online using bank transfers or giving your credit card information. Urgency is a red flag also scammers try to rush you to complete the purchase as fast as possible.
Your bank will never ask you for passwords, log-in details, or two factor authentication codes, nor will they send you an email or text message asking you to log in. If you receive a text or email claiming to be your bank or any other legal entity, you are best to ring them directly and avoid making contact through the text or e-mail received.
Be cautious with unsolicited texts, emails, or calls – don’t give out details that could be used to impersonate you. If you receive things from an unknown source you are best to delete them.
Don’t respond to instructions to download unknown software – it could be malware to access your computer or account information.
Be careful of deals or investments that sound too good to be true. They probably are. Contact investment firms or businesses via their official New Zealand based websites only if you wish to make investments, or make sure you do research before.
Use strong, unique passwords and PINs for your banking – don’t write them down or record them, try use phrases when you can and spaces in between.
If you think you’ve been scammed report it to your bank immediately or local authorities depending on circumstances.