Flood victims preyed on by scammers

Last week Moerewa was struggling to cope with floodwaters that inundated the town. Now scammers are targeting those hit by flooding.Photo / Peter de Graaf

Moerewa residents hit by flooding last week are facing a new danger - scammers are targeting those affected by the storm.

Two women posing as employees of insurance companies are visiting houses in the community worst hit by the flooding and asking for bank account details. Police have been informed and the scam has prompted the Far North District Council to warn people to be careful about who they accepted offers of help from and not to provide their banking details to strangers.

Council spokesman Richard Edmondson said the two women, who did not work for the council or the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Group, offered to assist with clean-up and fence repairs. They requested bank account details from home owners so they could deposit money into their accounts.

"The council does phone people who apply to the Mayoral Relief Fund and ask for bank account details so it can deposit grants into their accounts," Mr Edmondson said.

However, staff ask applicants to call them back via the council's freephone 0800 number so they know they are giving these details to a bona fide council officer, he said.

Mr Edmondson said people should call police if approached in a manner that caused them concern. It's the second storm-related scam in Northland since the flood. Several people have reported being called by a person asking for donations and claiming to represent a storm relief charity.

Meanwhile, the council had received 57 applications for mayoral relief fund grants worth $61,131 until about 2pm yesterday.

The Government contributed $90,000 to the fund and the council matched the amount while $367.97 came via public donations. The council has paid out $9816 to 11 people and are processing other applications, most of which are from Moerewa.

Mr Edmondson said people were mainly seeking funds to meet excess amounts on insurance claims, repay Work and Income loans for emergency aid, replace spoiled freezer contents and damaged furniture.

A number of applications for amounts well over $1000 from people with damaged homes have also been received, he said. He has urged people who have lost or suffered damage to property and/or incurred costs as a result of the storm to apply for the fund.

Donations towards the fund can be made at any ASB branch or council service centre.

People wanting to donate online may do so by quoting bank account number 12 3244 0022509 04.

The Whangarei District Council had received 12 requests by yesterday for its mayoral funds of $20,000.