"Think before you click" is one way to keep scammers out of your computer system advises the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Commerce Commission, as part of this month's fraud awareness campaign.
"Consumers should be as wary about emails of unknown origin as they would be about a phone call or letter from an unknown source," says Deborah Battell, Commerce Commission Director of Fair Trading.
"Emails may appear as if they are from government agencies, banks, or other well-known services. But consumers should be cautious of any offer making unusual promises or asking you for personal or financial details. If in doubt, delete."
Ms Battell suggests some simple tips and ideas to protect your computer from scammers:
Keep your protection software up to date. This will limit any computer damage from viruses, worms and Trojan horse programmes.
Think before you click. Be as wary of offers with unusual promises or that ask you for personal or financial details.
Don't reply to dubious emails. Replying just lets scammers know your account is active.
Don't click on any links in spam email, pop-up boxes, or open any attachments. Be careful closing emails or pop-up boxes: click the "X" at the top, not within the email or box.
Don't access your online banking account at public sites such as internet cafes or libraries. The computers at these sites may not be safe.
"Scammers may also try to install programmes on your computer with the aim of accessing confidential data," says Liz McPherson, Ministry of Consumer Affairs General Manager.
"You wouldn't open your wallet to anyone who asked, so don't leave your computer open to scammers' tricks. Protect the information on your computer just as you would the contents of your wallet."
Background
Consumer scams are crimes of dishonesty, such as forgery, counterfeiting, on-line deception, and theft that target people who seek to purchase goods and services. Potential victims can be those who use computers and the internet, older people, people whose financial situation makes them interested in 'get rich quick schemes', and people who use mobile phones.
As part of a trans-Tasman approach to combat consumer fraud and scams targeted at consumers, the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce was established in March 2005 and comprises 18 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand.
Agencies participating in the Taskforce are:
New Zealand Government:
Commerce Commission; Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Australian Government:
Attorney General's Department; Australian Bureau of Statistics; Australian Communications and Media Authority; Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; Australian Federal Police (represented by the Australian High Tech Crime Centre); Australian Institute of Criminology; Australian Securities & Investment Commission; Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts
State and Territory Governments:
All State and Territory Police jurisdictions; Australian Capital Territory - Office of Fair Trading; Consumer Affairs Victoria; New South Wales - Office of Fair Trading; Northern Territory - Department of Justice; Queensland - Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development; South Australia - Office of Consumer & Business Affairs; Tasmania - Office of Consumer Affairs & Fair Trading; Western Australia - Department of Consumer & Employment Protection.
New Zealand private sector participants in 2007 Fraud Awareness Month: Visa New Zealand, members of the New Zealand Bankers' Association, Telecom, Vodafone New Zealand, TelstraClear, and Trade Me.
Consumers who think they've spotted a scam can get more information and report them on the Scamwatch website at www.scamwatch.org.nz
