• Don't get sucked in by the hype or the "requirement" to 'act today' - take time to think about it and to check out the offer and the company.

• Don't get sucked in by statements such as, "this scheme is legal". Statements like this need to be read with care. You need to ask yourself why such a statement is necessary.

• Don't believe claims that it is approved by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs or Commerce Commission. They do not approve or endorse schemes.

• Don't send money away - particularly to only a PO Box number or overseas - until you have checked out the company

• Don't invest money without first seeking independent professional advice.

  
  

Do not judge scammers by your own standards:

They will try and take your money and lose no sleep over the loss they cause.

They appear to offer fast and easy ways for you to make money, with little effort or risk. But what they want is your money, your banking details or your identity.

They will pressure you to 'act now', they will claim legality and government approval, they will disappear leaving nothing more than an untraceable address, and fake letterheads.

This is how they do it …

Banking Fraud and Phishing
including Credit Card Scams, Card Skimming, Phoney Fraud Alerts Charity Scams including

Charity Lottery Scams

Dating and Romance Scams
including Dating Website Scams

Door-to-Door Scams
including Home Maintenance Scams

Flatmate Scams

Get-Rich-Quick Investment Scams
including Cold Calling Scams, Share Ramping and 'Hot Tip' Scams, Investment Seminar and Real Estate Scams, Computer Prediction Software, Superannuation Scams

Job and Employment Scams
including Envelope Stuffing and Promotions, Money-Laundering, Production Work from Home, Guaranteed Employment/Guaranteed Income Scams, Business Opportunity Scams

Health and Medical Scams
including Weight Loss Scams, Medical Spam, Fake Online Pharmacies

Holiday Scams

Internet Scams
including Spam, Free Offer Scams, Online Auction Scams, Miracle Cure Scams, Cheque Overpayment Scams, Domain Name Renewal Scams, Spyware and Keystroke-Logging, Modem Jacking

Lottery and Competition Scams
including Fake Prizes

Mobile Phone Scams
including Ring Tone Scams, Competitions or Trivia by Txt Scams, Missed Call or Message Scams,

Money Mule/Money Laundering
including Money Laundering

Psychic and Clairvoyant Scams
including Secret of Wealth Scams, Lucky Charm Scams

Publication Scams or Vanity Press
including Publishing Competitions

Pyramid Schemes
including Chain Letters

Small Business Scams
including False Billing Scams, Fax Back Scams, Office Supply Scams

Upfront Money Transfer Scams
including 'Nigerian' or '419' scams, Inheritance/Estate Funds Scams, Offers to Buy Scams, Upfront Payment Scams, Cheque Overpayment Scams (also known as Advanced fee fraud or scams)

Check the Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Scamwatch service to see if there is a warning about that particular scam.

View NZ Police website for scams

There are always other scams going on check out scams listing on Consumers Institute website

• Here is a link to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police website that deals with scams ( www.phonebusters.com ) so you can see that this is a worldwide problem.

  
  Scams are always around so you should be wary don't send any money away - it will be the last you see it.

  
  

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