Consumers warned about overseas scams

Retail NZ has a warning for Kiwi consumers. Photo/NZH

Retail NZ is warning consumers to shop from local and reputable retailers after flyers were delivered around Wellington offering half-price iPhones and other technology.

The leaflets, from an anonymous overseas company, offered express delivery within two days and required payment by bank transfer or money order to an international bank.

Greg Harford from Retail NZ said customers could be vulnerable to scams when buying outside of the country and from unknown sellers.

"Consumers in New Zealand are well protected by the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act, but the legislation is very difficult to enforce outside New Zealand," Harford said.

"Genuine retailers try their best to provide great customer service, and meet all their legal obligations to customers. We strongly recommend that, in order to protect themselves, consumers make sure they know from whom they are buying, and take steps to make sure that the business is genuine."

Harford said it was important customers knew who they were dealing with, saying that just because a flyer had come in the letterbox or a company had a New Zealand website didn't necessarily mean the company was legitimate.

"There are plenty of reputable businesses based offshore selling to New Zealanders, but there are also some pretty dodgy dealers out there," he said.

"If an offshore firm selling in New Zealand doesn't have a website or a phone number, and doesn't take credit cards, you'd want to ask some questions about why this is."

"The bottom line is that if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is."