Posts by Citizens Advice Christchurch Area
917 days ago

Be aware of text messages that are Scams

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

So how does the scam work?

The message will look like it comes from a legitimate New Zealand agency like Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency), NZ Post, Inland Revenue, NZ Police or a Bank. It will often be sent by a number with either a 64 or 61 prefix at the beginning - country codes from New Zealand and Australia.

It will encourage you to click on a link and pay a bill or toll, sometimes to collect a cash prize.

Advice for dealing with scams
• Not all messages will look the same, as scammers change their wording over time.
• Do not engage with or click any links before you know a message is genuine.
• To check if a message is genuine, check directly with the people it came from. Go to the organisation’s website or check your online account directly.
• Scam messages commonly contain bad or irregular spelling and grammar. Use this as your first sign that this could be a scam.
• Never provide any card or personal details if you do click a bad link.
• If you have paid money already, speak to your bank as soon as possible and let them know what’s happened.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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3 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.7% Yes
    41.7% Complete
  • 33.5% Maybe?
    33.5% Complete
  • 24.8% No
    24.8% Complete
588 votes
24 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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