The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has reported an email scam involving the Christchurch earthquake relief effort.Cyber safety organizations Netsafe and Scamwatch have received reports of scammers trying to extract bank account information from well-meaning New Zealanders, the Ministry said.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/vultures-circle-christchurch-email-scam-warning-ck-86768Also see:‘Disgusting’ quake emails target people eager to donate
Scammers are apparently already attempting to take advantage of people wanting to donate to quake recovery funds.The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is warning that email scams are surfacing in the wake of Tuesday’s Christchurch earthquake.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/69295/’disgusting’-quake-emails-target-people-eager-to-donateEarthquake Charity Scam
Sadly, Scamwatch and NetSafe have already received reports of scammers using the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.The emails, sent from “James McCoy” and claiming to be from “Donate4Charity NZ” use a legitimate UK-based charity organisation’s name and website address.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/earthquake-charity-scam/5/83143Scam Alert – Christchurch earthquake: scam emails already surfacing [news release]
Sadly, Scamwatch and NetSafe have already received reports of scammers using the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.The emails, sent from “James McCoy” and claiming to be from “Donate4Charity NZ” use a legitimate UK-based charity organisation’s name and website address.The emails call for people to receive donated funds into their bank account from overseas for a 10% cut. This is a scam.
Signs that it’s a scam
- the email comes from a generic email address (e.g. gmail.com)
- the content contains poor grammar and spelling
- offers a 10% cut for receiving funds.
Please delete these emails straight away, do not reply, and report them to us at Scamwatch.Report a scam here.Our advice on donating
- If you are contacted by a charity you have never heard of before, do some research before saying ‘yes’.
- Do not be pressured or intimidated or made to feel guilty. Genuine charities would regard such tactics as bad for their reputations.
- Be cautious about ‘soundalikes’. Those being organisations that play on legitimate charity names, such as “Oxfan”.
The Charities Commission advises that it’s best to give to large, well-known charities and suggest if anyone ever has a doubt about donating to a charity, they can check it out on the Charities Register website.
http://consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scam-news/scam-alert-42