Company warns of cyber-based parcel scams over the Christmas period

IDCARE NZ operations manager Neil Hallett (inset) warns consumers of more cyber scams as Christmas approaches. Photo / Supplied

''Tis the season for scamming as a local cyber security company warns of an increase in cyber scams approaching Christmas.

Napier-based company IDCARE specialises in national identity and cyber support for New Zealand and Australia.

IDCARE NZ operations manager Neil Hallett said people should be watching out for phishing scams as more people hop online to purchase gifts for Christmas.

"Phishing can present itself in many forms, but one that is around currently is called Flubot - it is a text sent to phones saying that a parcel is ready to be picked up, or was attempting to be dropped off etc., and if you click the link it will allow you to organise for this. However by clicking the link you then download the Flubot malware into your phone and give scammers access to every piece of information stored on it," Hallett said.

He said scammers are able to use the personal information gained for identity theft to open lines of credit in another person's name and leave them with thousands of dollars of debt.

"One client recently had such a text, and clicked on it, and now believes that her identity is being used offshore as people in her contact list are receiving texts from her that she did not send from her phone."

He said remote access scams are now the most common type in New Zealand since the beginning of the pandemic.

Remote Access Scams involve offenders convincing victims to allow access to their PC or phone, then removing funds from their online banking accounts, or using their personal information.

He said about $500 million per year flows offshore due to cybercrime, although the amount could be even higher because only an estimated 7 per cent of frauds and cyber crimes are reported to the police.

He suggests people have the most up to date anti-virus and operating systems on all their devices and be suspicious of every email, message and text, don't respond to any that looks unfamiliar and, finally, if something looks too good to be true it probably is.

Tom Hartley, who runs cyber security education website Secure Right, said many aren't aware of how little they know about cyber security and making cyber security awareness a habit is imperative.

"Everyone thinks cyber-attacks will happen to someone else, or are only aimed at big business, but the reality is we are all most vulnerable at home - and the perpetrators know this, so we aim for security awareness to become an everyday habit for the whole household."