Things you should look out for

Things you should look out for

If you think you’ve been targeted by an online or phone scam, please call us on 0800 327 863.  We take security extremely seriously and will do everything we can to help.

One of the best ways to stay safe online is to know the kind of things you should look out for. So here are some of the more common threats and internet scams. You can read more at consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scams.



Security Threat Phishing

Phishing is the process of trying to get information by pretending to be a trustworthy organisation. In most cases fraudsters will send a fake company email asking for things like usernames, passwords or credit card details. These emails can look very real. Our Email Policy will tell you more about Phishing and what to do if you’ve been targeted.

Security Tip  Never share any account details, credit card details or passwords by email. ASB will never ask you for these.


Security Threat Money Mules

Occasionally you may be offered the chance to send and receive money on behalf of someone else. This may well be a money laundering scheme and if you take part you could be breaking the law.

People who get caught up in this type of thing are known as ‘money mules’. Mules can be recruited in many ways including spam emails, recruitment websites and even newspaper ads. Once recruited mules receive funds into their account, which they then withdraw and send overseas, usually minus a commission payment. The mule is the easiest part of the chain to track down and supplying any information to the fraudsters could put them at risk from identity fraud.

Security Tip Be wary about receiving money from people you don’t know online. And remember: if it looks too good to be true it probably is.


Security Threat SPAM offers

These ‘junk mail’ offers generally involve free or extremely cheap deals that are sent as email. The goal is usually to get money or personal details from you. Some attempt to get you to download keylogger software that can track everything you type and send it on to the scammer.

Security Tip If you don’t know who sent an email, it’s probably best to delete it. In New Zealand it’s against the law to send unsolicited emails so you can also report these emails as spam.


Security Threat Overpayment

A scammer could send you a cheque or an Internet Banking payment for something, but ‘accidentally’ pay too much. They may then ask you for a refund of the difference, which they hope you’ll pay before you discover that the original cheque is worthless.

Security Tip Be extremely careful about financial transactions with people you don’t know. If you’re using TradeMe, consider using services like ‘SafeTrader’.


Security Threat Domain Name Renewal

If you receive a renewal for your Internet Domain name, check carefully that it’s from the correct registrar. Another scam is to send a notice for a domain name that’s very close to yours and hope that you don’t notice the difference.

Security Tip Always double-check before paying for anything online.

If you have questions or complaints about anything to do with a New Zealand “.nz” domain, check out the web-site of the .nz Domain Name Commission – http:///www.dnc.org.nz


Security Threat Trojans

Trojans are little bits of software that infect a web browser and have the ability to modify pages, transaction content or even insert additional transactions. This can all happen in a completely covert fashion invisible to both the user and host application.

Security Tip Keep an eye on online transactions, and if something seems a bit strange, investigate further.


Security Threat Viruses and Worms

A virus is a software program that copies itself when it’s triggered. Usually that’s when you download it, or open an unusual file. Once triggered, a virus can be destructive and do things like overwriting the files on a computers hard drive. A worm is like a virus that actively looks for ways to spread itself to other computers. This means worms can spread extremely quickly.

Security Tip Only download files from reputable sources and be wary about opening files that look different or unusual. A good anti-virus software will help protect you from viruses and worms.


Security Threat Card skimming

This is a hi-tech way of copying information from the magnetic strip on your bank cards. Once copied, this information can be downloaded onto another card and used to make purchases on your account.
Skimming devices can be very subtle so the best way to avoid skimming is by:

Security Tip Swipe the card in the machine yourself

Security Tip If you hand your card over, keep it in your sight at all times

Security Tip Use a chip card like an ASB Visa Debit card.


Security Threat Identity Theft

If someone dishonest gets hold of your old bank or credit card statements they can use that information to steal money. So always keep important documents safe and destroy them (ideally by shredding them) before you throw them out.

Security Tip Never leave important documents or statements lying around – especially if you live in a flat or other shared accommodation.


Security Threat Phone Scams

This is where someone calls you and says that they are from a reputable company, business and may ask you to login to your computer, as “their system has reported it as having a virus”, or even directly ask you for your card PIN.

Security Tip ASB will never call you directly and ask you to confirm your banking password, PIN number to your accounts or Credit Card.

Security Tip They may sound very convincing, so remember that you can insist for their name and number and can call them back.

Security Tip Simply hang up on them