Banks say ‘stay vigilant’ as scams circulate

Banks are reminding customers to stay vigilant as phishing scams circulate.

ANZ said customers were receiving a variety of text messages and emails claiming to be from Inland Revenue (IR) and Waka Kotahi.

The messages include a link to receive a tax refund, a cost of living payment or to renew a vehicle licence registration.

But they lead to a fake website where people were asked to enter information including internet banking login details, credit card details, driver licence and other personal details.

ANZ said if anyone received a text or email of this kind they shouldn’t click on any links and should delete the message immediately.

‘‘People shouldn’t provide or confirm their credit card details, internet banking login details, or twofactor authentication codes, through a link in an email or a text message, or in response to a phone call they’ve received out of the blue,’’ an ANZ spokesperson said.

‘‘Unfortunately, customers are increasingly being targeted by different types of scams. It’s a reminder that we all need to be careful with our private and financial information.’’

BNZ was also aware of the IR and Waka Kotahi scams circulating.

‘‘Scammers are always trying to exploit our trust in organisations, impersonating banks or other organisations like Inland Revenue and Waka Kotahi,’’ a BNZ spokesperson said.

BNZ customers had also been targeted in a text scam about a blocked credit or debit card in June.

‘‘BNZ will never text you a link or email you a link to online banking. If you get a message purporting to be from a bank or other organisation, never click or tap the link. Instead, go to the website directly and log in or contact them through their phone number listed there instead.

Last month, Kiwibank increased the number of investigators on its team to deal with the growing number of phone spoofing scam victims.

Banks had also joined forces with Cert NZ, Consumer Protection, and Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs to warn people of new threats from scammers to help prevent them falling victim.

‘‘People shouldn’t provide or confirm their credit card details . . .’’

ANZ spokesperson