Phone scams doing the rounds

It looks like the latest crop of scammers are back at it says a Katikati woman after she received several suspicious phone calls this week.

Bev, who's asked SunLive to not publish her surname, says she's received several phone calls from a man claiming to be from Spark warning her internet was about to be disconnected.


A Katikati woman is warning the community that scammers are doing the rounds again after receiving several suspicious phone calls this morning. File photo.

'He, or perhaps ‘they', tried calling from the same number several times earlier yesterday, and whenever I answered there was silence, not even any heavy breathing,” she says with a laugh.

'During the last call, a man with a very thick foreign accent said he was from Spark and they would turn off my internet off for two months because I've been downloading too many viruses.

'I'm not even a Spark customer.”

Bev responded by saying she would ring her own internet provider to find out what was going on – while also being careful not to tell the caller who she was signed up with.

'He then went very, very quiet, and just hung up, and that was it.”

Bev recorded the phone number – which begins with the area code 0202 – and plans to pass it onto police.

SunLive has also attempt to contact the caller on the number provided by Bev but it has since been disconnected.

While Bev can have a laugh about it now, she wants to warn the community about the scammers doing the rounds again.

'Thankfully I wasn't a Spark customer and I'd heard of this type of scam before, but there might be some people who haven't.

'It's easy to keep yourself safe, you just need to know what to look or listen for, and if you're unsure then just hang up,” says Bev.

Spark communications manager Michelle Baguley says the company will never call customers out of the blue and ask them for personal information like bank details or passwords.

'We will only ask you for personal information if you call us,” she says. 'If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Spark who asks you to enter on the computer your bank details, end the call as quickly as possible.

'Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of this scam and who has passed on bank account details or logged into online banking while on one of these calls, should contact their bank immediately.”

Spark customers who wish to share details of scam calls, or who have any particular concerns, should email scamhelp@spark.co.nz

PROTECTING YOURSELF

  • Never give out account details over the phone unless you made the call and you trust that the number you called is genuine.
  • Ask for a name and number so you can call them back, and check that number against a number you know to be genuine.
  • If you have passed on information, contact your bank immediately, and report the scam.

To learn more about the different types of scams and how to protect yourself visit the Ministry Of Business, Innovation and Employment's Consumer Protection website.

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4 comments

They are Clever

Posted on 06-04-2016 07:26 | By EFPClub

The phone call is designed to have you sit down in front of your computer while they are on the phone with you. The very first thing they will ask you is to open/start your computer, they then show you how many corrupt files your system has and YES you will have them...EVERY computer has corrupt files BUT it does not mean your computer is under threat. Once they prove it they explain how they can repair the files by giving them access. This is called (REMOTE ACCESS) In lay terms it simply means they have access to your information stored on your computer even though they state they are a reputable and honest company (NEVER GIVE REMOTE ACCESS) to some one who calls you even if you think you know them.


simple

Posted on 06-04-2016 07:31 | By Capt_Kaveman

block any incoming number with 0 if some really wants you there are cell phones


PH Scammers

Posted on 06-04-2016 09:12 | By Tyraone

My number is unlisted and I dont have this trouble with scammers. Would not have it any other way.


Well...

Posted on 08-04-2016 20:46 | By GreertonBoy

He wasnt a very bright spark then? LOL... All you have to ask is for them to tell you YOUR name (and what town you are in)... if they are stabbing in the dark, they wont know your name or location... that goes for any phone or email scam... if it has your name on the email... there is at least a fair chance it might be legit. Either way... ask for thier office number and his name and You will call HIM back... I bet he wont give you his details LOL


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