Southern District Police have received numerous calls reporting an automated phone scam targeting the Southern area.
The automated message is in a Kiwi Accent:
“This is the Police you owe money to Inland Revenue, if you don’t pay you will be arrested.
Please call 04 889 0505echo adrotate_group(4, array("fallback" => 0, "weight" => 0, "site" => "no"));
When rung a person asks for your name and IRD number.
People need to remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for your bank account or credit card details by phone.
If you receive a call and something doesn’t seem right, double check their details and hang up if you have any doubts.
If they claim to be a bank or organisation, call that organisation on the number of their official website and check with them.
We recommend people look after their personal details in the same way they would their wallet and personal possessions.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of any crime, in person or online, should report the matter to their local Police.
Netsafe also provides helpful advice and information on its website.