Covid-19: Scammers ask for money, votes in exchange for coronavirus vaccine
Hi neighbours,
As the Covid-19 vaccine rolls out, watch out for scammers preying on the vulnerable.
Crown agency CERT NZ (the Computer Emergency Response Team) is warning the public to stay vigilant after it was notified of a series of different scams.
The con artists are requesting credit card and personal information in return for a Covid-19 vaccine.
The first scam involves a phone call advising that the vaccine is available for $49.99.
People are then prompted to enter their credit card details.
The other scam asks people to head to a website where people can ‘vote’ in order to be eligible for the vaccine.
CERT NZ advised people in both instances to hang up the phone and make a note of what number the call came from, as well as the time and date it happened.
“We are actively working to put a stop to these scams as quickly as possible,” the agency said.
If bank details have been provided then people should contact their bank immediately, it said.
Meanwhile, in another hoax, people claiming to be from the World Health Organisation are asking email recipients to donate to the Who Covid-19 response fund.
Tricksters have also been targeting people with coronavirus-themed phishing emails with infected attachments containing fictitious safety measures.
The link, supposed to contain health information, installs malicious software designed to steal personal information.
In another scam, victims are asked to fill in their email and password to access information about Covid-19.
Emails are also being sent demanding money from victims to avoid video footage being circulated of the recipients in compromising positions.
Newer variations of this con are threatening to spread coronavirus to family members if a ransom is unpaid.
Security researchers have identified a new campaign where the attackers claim to have a ‘coronavirus map’ application that people can download onto their devices.
In fact the application is malware designed to steal sensitive information such as passwords.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 SCAMS:
CERT NZ recommends anyone looking for COVID-19 information looks to their regular news sites and official government websites.
The organisation urges people to be sceptical of advice that did not come from official sources.
If you are unsure if a communication is from a legitimate source, do not click on the link or open the attachment.
Contact the organisation through their official contact channels to verify.
Protect your passwords and login credentials, don’t enter these into any websites relating to the COVID-19 virus.
Keep your devices up-to-date.
Keep your anti-virus up to date and run regular checks.
Report suspected malware or phishing attempts to CERT NZ.
Go to www.cert.govt.nz... for more information.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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