New Zealanders losing more money to online credit card scams
Losses reported to Netsafe in October totalled $6264, compared to $1865 in September - a 220 percent jump.
In September, losses per incident averaged about $50, whereas the average loss last month was about $220.
However, the number of reports to Netsafe fell from 37 in September to 28 in October.
Netsafe chief online safety officer Sean Lyons said the sharp rise in financial losses suggested scammers were getting more sophisticated with their tactics.
"The quality of what people are being presented with is, on the whole, increasingly improving.
"Red flags we might've relied on previously - the spelling is wrong, it doesn't look right or I'm pretty sure that's not what the logo of this particular agency looks like - are becoming less valuable as a method for us to check whether something is a scam."
Credit card-related scams typically involve scammers collecting payment card numbers, and using them to make purchases or other payments online.
Lyons said people were being targeted via email, text, private instant messaging platforms - including WhatsApp - website and social media ads, and phone calls.
He said looking up an organisation's contact details and getting in touch with them directly was the best way to confirm whether a message was genuine.
"It might say that you have a payment due or a package waiting to be delivered.
"Don't be pressured into making a decision on the scammer's timeline. Step back, get advice from the people around you or give Netsafe a call.
"Make sure what you're engaging with is actually genuine and you're not being sucked into a scam."
With the festive season and Black Friday approaching, he said people should be extra vigilant, if asked to pay for something or if they saw an offer that seemed too good to be true.
"It's a time when people let their guard down a bit. When we are looking for deals or ordering and expecting the arrival of things, we can be more susceptible to these scams."
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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58.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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13.1% Critical thinking
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25.7% Resilience and adaptability
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2.7% Other - I will share below!
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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77.1% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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22.9% No. This would be impossible in practice.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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