485 days ago

HAVE YOU BEEN SCAMMED?

Jill Smith from Citizens Advice Bureau Far North (CAB)

Scams are on the rise and ruining lives, with over a million households in New Zealand targeted by scammers in the past year. Scams are becoming more sophisticated and far reaching, anyone can be caught by them, and in New Zealand we don’t have enough protections for keeping people safe.
At CAB, we regularly help members of the public with issues to do with scams. People come to us when they need help to know if something is a scam, or when they have been affected by a scam. We see the impacts scams can cause for their victims - the hardship and distress.
This is why we’re supporting the call for action to make New Zealanders safer from scams. Our friends at Consumer NZ are running a petition which asks for:

Banks to refund scam victims for authorised and unauthorised scam payments, unless the victim has been grossly negligent.
A national anti-scam framework requiring banks, telcos and digital platforms to take action to address scams and outlining their liability if they fail to meet their obligations.
A centralised anti-scam centre where relevant organisations work together to keep us safe.
If you would like to support this campaign by signing the Consumer NZ petition, you can do that here:

campaigns.consumer.org.nz...
To find out how you can protect yourself from scams and fraud, go to our CAB website at:

www.cab.org.nz...

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.2% Yes
    53.2% Complete
  • 46.8% No
    46.8% Complete
1758 votes
1 day ago

Poll: Over summer, how do you reclaim your sense of home in Northland?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

When tourists take over the streets and parking disappears, where do you find your calm?
Or is summer’s hustle something to enjoy rather than escape?

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Over summer, how do you reclaim your sense of home in Northland?
  • 83.3% I enjoy the summer hubbub!
    83.3% Complete
  • 16.7% Please, give me some peace
    16.7% Complete
  • 0% I escape the region during summer
    0% Complete
6 votes
1 day ago

‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...

The Team from New Zealand Police

As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.

Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.

There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”

A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105

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