The police officer who answered the call swiftly replied: "Well, you've called the New Zealand Police, so I'd be very surprised if our internet wasn't secure."
"This is the police? ... OK, I'm sorry to bother you," responded the scammer.
New Zealand police re-shared the audio this week, originally recorded in 2018, urging people to be alert to similar calls and avoid passing on any personal or financial information over the phone.
They believed millions of dollars were lost each year to scammers and never reported.
"Many people who have been scammed, are too proud to make a complaint, as they may feel embarrassed or silly that they got sucked-in," they said.
"Due to people's pride, a significant number of these scams are grossly under-reported so there's no real way of knowing."
Police have a number of tips for people to avoid phone scams. Photo / 123RF
Police had a number of tips for the public to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
Never click on a link in an unexpected email or text – you could be giving access to your personal and financial details.
Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.
Don't assume an email or phone call is authentic – just because someone knows your basic details (name and address, or mother's maiden name) it doesn't mean they are genuine
Don't be rushed into making a decision or financial transaction on the spot – a genuine bank or trusted organisation would never do this.
Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it generally is.
