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People are being urged to stay alert following a rise in phone scams, with callers impersonating immigration officials and using New Zealand mobile numbers to appear legitimate.<\/p>\n
Stephen Vaughan, chief operating officer at Immigration New Zealand, said these calls were not genuine, and department officials would never, under any circumstances, contact people by phone to request money.<\/p>\n
“If someone calls saying they are from Immigration New Zealand demanding a payment – it is a scam,” he said. “Hang up immediately.”<\/p>\n
New Zealanders, migrants living in New Zealand and people overseas were all being targeted as scam tactics were becoming increasingly sophisticated, he said.<\/p>\n
In the recent scam, callers claimed there was an urgent problem with a visa to create pressure or fear, according to Immigration New Zealand.<\/p>\n
They might ask the person to “press 1”, speak to an operator and provide personal information such as passport or bank details.<\/p>\n
“These scammers want people to worry,” Vaughan said. “But our staff will never ask for bank details, and we will never ask for payments over the phone.”<\/p>\n
People who were unsure about a communication they received were encouraged to contact the department directly.<\/p>\n
“If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts,” Vaughan said. “Do not give any personal details. Hang up and report it.”<\/p>\n
People were also being urged to report the scam to CERT NZ using their online reporting form.<\/p>\n