Red Cross Warns of Fake Emails

30 July 2013

Red Cross Warns of Fake Emails

New Zealand Red Cross is warning the public to be on the lookout for a fake email asking people to donate to Syria.

The email uses the heading “Donate to the emergency appeal for Syria”, and uses text identical to that on the New Zealand Red Cross website Syria appeal page.

The email contains a link for people to follow, and most spam filters will block access to this link. However people should not click on the link as the email is not genuine.

New Zealand Red Cross fundraising manager Alice Montague says Red Cross does not send unsolicited emails to members of the public, and also does not ask for people’s bank account numbers by email.

“We only communicate via email to supporters, donors and project partners who have specifically asked to be on our mailing list. While we have launched an appeal for Syria, we have not sent an email out asking for donations.”

New Zealand Red Cross is aware of four cases of people receiving the fraudulent emails, including one using New Zealand information but purporting to be from Norwegian Red Cross. Red Cross has now referred the matter to the Department of Internal Affairs.

People can donate to the genuine appeal for Syria by going to www.redcross.org.nz

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