POLICE---Public urged to proceed with caution after damaging banking scam resurfaces
Scammers behind fake term deposits scams have upped their game, and unfortunately, it means consumers need to be even more wary when making banking decisions.
Police are now issuing a warning to Kiwis to be alert when making enquiries into term deposits, with Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, Auckland City CIB, saying this particular scam is remerging under the guise of yet another bank.
“While at this stage, we in Auckland City are not immediately aware of receiving any reports relating to this new scam, we want our communities to be aware before it’s too late.
“This scam initially emerged in early 2023 and the modus operandi remains the same.
"Victims are entering their contact details online and talking to an ‘investment advisor’ on the phone, before completing online documents, which often look professional, before transferring their money into a NZ bank account," he says.
“At this point the money is usually transferred off-shore by the holder of that bank account."
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says Police have now been contacted by Kiwibank to let us know they have been made aware it is appearing again under their name.
“It’s just one of many sophisticated ways scammers are attempting to deceive hardworking New Zealanders for their own financial gain.”
Earlier this month, the Financial Markets Authority also issued an alert to advise of this particular scam.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says Police are continuing to make enquiries into other matters involving other renditions of this scam.
“It is truly devastating to be the victim of a scam like this.
We have spoken to countless victims and made enquiries into numerous reports and we do not want to see more people falling victim to these types of scams.
“While Police will investigate and make enquiries where possible when these matters are reported to us, we want to assist with preventing it before it can even happen.”
Police recommend the following steps you can take to protect themselves from this scam:
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• Never enter contact details into any online website that offers ‘term deposit’ rates
• If you think you may have entered your contact details on a website offering fake term deposits, do not engage in conversations over the phone with a person purporting to be from a bank - disconnect the call and phone back on a number displayed on the bank’s website
• You can always call your bank to seek reassurance and confirmation you are talking to a trusted and legitimate employee
• Seek advice from a trusted friend or family member, or someone who has knowledge of investments before sending any money anywhere
• Check the URL of the website that you are directed to and confirm it is the valid website for the bank that you believe that you are dealing with
• The Financial Markets Authority publishes the names of suspicious companies on their website.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says, unfortunately, there is never a shortage of scams the public should be wary of.
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“Please be vigilant with your money.
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We urge anyone who sees something online they think might be attractive or a great deal to do their research, speak to friends and family, check with the FMA, and don’t be afraid to question anything that may be out of the ordinary.”
If you believe you are or have been the victim of fraud, contact Police at 105.police.govt.nz , or call Police on 105 and report the matter.
Additionally, a number of resources are also available to those who believe they may or could be the victim of this type of offending.
There are several NZ Government websites that have information and advice to help avoid falling victim to common fraudulent activity and scams.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has more information on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed.
Visit www.consumerprotection.govt.nz...
The Financial Markets Authority provides helpful advice on its website to help avoid falling victim to online investments scams.
Visit www.fma.govt.nz...
CERT NZ provides advice on how to respond to an avoid cyber security incidents.
Visit www.cert.govt.nz...
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Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.8% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.1% Hmm, maybe?
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11.1% Yes!
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
7000 pensioners overcharged in another Inland Revenue error
Almost 7000 pensioners have been affected by another Inland Revenue error.
Last week, RNZ reported that 4500 people had overpaid tax after their imputation credits had been incorrectly recorded in their prep-populated tax returns.
Others got in touch and said they had also experienced a problem, this time with the way that NZ Super was recorded for ACC purposes.
One man said he had been charged $301.68 in ACC earner levy for $18,854.98 of gross income from NZ Super that should not have attracted a levy at all.
He said he was not able to control this when he completed his return and did not realise the error until the process was complete.
He said he did not think a lot more about it but when he saw RNZ's reporting of the other error, he realised that there had been at least two this year.
"This really starts to suggest a deficiency in change control of IRD systems."
Another couple said they wanted assurance that Inland Revenue had taken steps to stop it happening again.
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Inland Revenue said 6778 people were affected.
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"There was an issue identified earlier this year where we were not populating the 'earnings not liable' figure correctly for some customers. We fixed those returns for the customers in July 2025."
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand tax leader John Cuthbertson said ACC was not paid on NZ Super because it was not liable income.
"However, if you're working and receiving NZ Super, your earnings from that work do attract levies."
"The advancements in digitalisation and MyIR have been quite incredible, except when it goes wrong like this. You shouldn't need a Chartered Accountant to check prepopulated forms, but the average person might not know that super income does not attract ACC levies. We used to say 'google it' but many taxpayers are now using AI to do a basic check of their tax returns, asking simple questions like 'Should I pay 'x' levy on 'y' income?"
Angus Ogilvie, managing director of Generate Accounting Group, said it was concerning that issues seemed to be leading to erroneous data being prepopulated into Inland Revenue's system.
"The new software employed was a very costly and complex project. However, taxpayers should expect that there is a high level of diligence applied to get their tax obligations right. Let's hope that the department is devoting urgent resource to correct these issues".
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