Scam Watch - Aug 4

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• The IRD started the week with a warning about fraudulent faxes trying to trick people into handing over confidential information. Businesses were being asked to complete and return a property disclosure form to someone called "Marcauley Saunders", who claimed to work at Inland Revenue. But any information handed over could lead to identity and data theft, and possible financial loss.

• Other scams reported to the Department of Internal Affairs include a phone call from someone claiming to be Samantha Cooper, working for the New Zealand Government. The complainant writes: "I was told that due to my clear credit history and continuing to complete my tax returns on time every year, I was eligible for $6,000. To test my loyalty, 'Samantha' explained that she would transfer $1,200 into my bank account, then I had to transfer $1,200 back to them via Western Union. After this, I would be given $6,000." But when asked what the Western Union details were, Samantha hung up.

• There's been a resurgence of people ringing and claiming that people's computers are infected with a virus, wanting to gain remote access. They can be extremely persistent but it is a scam.