IRD Scam phone calls
Last Monday my wife received a phone call from a man claiming to be from IRD.
When she answered the ring, there was a pause and possibly a click, then a man informing her that "she was of interest to the IRD and would be receiving a summons and have to appear in court" He then gave her a number to ring, should she want to discuss the matter.
She knew it was a hoax or scam, so rang IRD (via the phone book). She navigated the question/answer 'Phone Tree' for a while, until it gave up and produced a real live woman. She explained her problem and was told it's been going on for a couple of weeks.
To the suggestion that IRD should make a statement on TV or 'Social Media', the woman said that's a good idea and she would pass it on.
So, while we wait, this is my attempt. And, of course, as you all know: DON'T RING THE NUMBER GIVEN.
Do you think the purpose of the scam is to give you the run around on a very expensive phone call?
Or do they hope to extract financial details etc, during the run around?
And if it's going well, transfer you to yet another department and introduce you to the real scam?
Then repeat as long as they think reasonable.
After all, it's a good script.
Law abiding senior citizens, will be quite unsettled by the thought of prosecution by the IRD.
And that may be just enough to get them to ring the number.
Lovers Lane opens
It's open! This morning we held a blessing for the new pathway, bridge and boardwalk in Lovers' Lane that connects the Kamo Shared Path with the Raumanga Shared Path.
You can access it from Cafler Park, Second Avenue, or between the Central Library and the council building, Te Iwitahi. The walking and cycling pathway includes a new paved area, Te Ara Hīkoi ki Kauika (the pathway to Kauika), a replaced bridge over the Waiarohia Stream, and a new boardwalk in Cafler Park.
The design is by Littoralis, Hawthorn Geddes and Boffa Miskell, connecting to the natural environment and local history. The high quality of construction was by local contractors including Canam, Robinson Asphalts, Culham Engineering, Northland Metal Industries (NMI), Ezra Bell, BDX Engineering and more.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
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