Fraud Awareness Week

Fraud Awareness Week
Media Release – 3 March 2008

The New Zealand Bankers' Association welcomes the government's Fraud Awareness Week aimed at raising public awareness of scams and identity theft, which target consumers.

The particular campaign themes are deception and seduction, with consumers usually being led to believe in a golden investment or job opportunity, or being asked to divulge their personal information. Criminals are very creative in the way that they deceive people.

Don't be seduced! Don't be deceived! Do not respond!

For more information on how to protect yourself, refer to the www.SCAMwatch.govt.nz website, and remember that neither banks, nor persons in authority, such as the Police, will ever request bank customers to give them their passwords or PIN information.

If bank customers suspect that their personal information is in the wrong hands, or they have been taken in by a financial scam, they should report it immediately to their bank.

Bank customers should also refer to their own bank's website or branches for tips on how better to protect their money and account information, and the security measures that may be available.

ENDS

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