Beware of IRD, immigration scams

The "hectoring" scammers highlighted in a Fair Go programme on Wednesday may have called a Whanganui woman.

And Whanganui MP Chester Borrows' office is also concerned about scammers harassing people.

Fiona Donne told the Chronicle said she received a voice mail message on Wednesday night demanding she ring IRD immediately.

"They were hectoring. I would have rung in the morning but my daughter came round and listened to the message and said 'Mum, that's a scam.'"

In the Fair Go case, a man paid over $8000 in iTunes vouchers to the scammers who said he was in trouble with the IRD and would be prosecuted if he did not pay the money.

Mrs Donne said her caller left an 09 phone number and she has contacted the police.

She may also contact Age Concern because older people might be more vulnerable to the crime.

"I thought about phoning. But IRD don't call you. People need to know they are doing this."

And Mr Borrows' electorate secretary Viv Chapman said she has had three calls in the last week from distressed constituents about a caller saying either their immigration status was in question and they would be deported or IRD were going to sue them for money owed.

"The callers were unpleasant and demanding. Two of my callers believed them and were really upset, the other just reported to me that this was happening."

Mrs Chapman said she advises constituents that at some stage of the conversation the scammers will ask for their bank details.

"IRD and Immigration New Zealand and banks do not operate like that."

Police advice for anyone who thinks they may be on the receiving end of one of these calls is as follows:

- Hang up immediately.

- If it doesn't seem right, be cautious, double-check details first.

- Look after your personal details in the same way you would your wallet and other possessions. Your personal details are also very valuable to scammers, as they will use your details to take out loans or run up debts if they can.

- Be aware of common scams. For example, banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland Revenue never email, call or text customers to ask for money to be sent using money transfer services. If you receive a request like that, it's a scam.

If you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately by visiting Consumer Protection's Scamwatch website at www.consumerprotection.govt.nz.