In recent months, a number of people have been receiving calls by a person claiming to be from Inland Revenue Department (IRD), offering them a tax refund or a grant from the Government.
Those making the calls will make the offer but only if the person who is called makes an upfront direct payment to a bank account often via Western Union.
We have also become aware of cases when a person has been asked to make the transfer online through a website address while they are still talking on the phone.
These calls are hoaxes, made by fraudsters who are intent of stealing your money.
Our advice is that if you are contacted, and have suspicions that the call is a hoax, you should hang up immediately.
Those running these scams continue to use the IRD brand to try to get money from people, attempting in the process, to gain their personal details such as credit card and bank account.
We will never ask customers to send money to receive either a tax refund or unclaimed money and we strongly advise people not to transfer funds to the fraudsters under any circumstances.
If anyone has replied to those behind these scams, and given money or their personal details, they should contact their bank or credit card provider immediately.
To report suspicious phone calls or emails that target IRD customers, please send an email to phishing@ird.govt.nz
Information is available on our website (www.ird.govt.nz) under news updates.
Free Workshops
If you are in business, you may like to attend one of our free tax seminars or workshops held in various parts of the country. Please visit our website for details.
Abdul Rafik is Inland Revenue’s Community Relationships Advisor based in Auckland. He will answer your queries emailed to venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Bogus callers seek funds for UNICEF
Our Staff Reporter writes:
New Zealanders have been warned of fraudulent phone calls, which promise refunds from IRD if the person called is willing to donate substantial sums of money to UNICEF.
UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director Dennis McKinlay said that people should be cautious of such phone calls and that the agency has nothing to do with IRD refunds.
According to him, the fraudsters send email messages to people saying that large sums of money as IRD refunds are waiting for them and that they should call a Wellington telephone number for further information.
Mr McKinlay said that he was also reminding people to be weary of emails that contain inaccurate information about UNICEF and worse, claiming to represent the Charitable Organisation.
“Scams in the past have ranged from phishing emails asking for bank details to others claiming to be from UNICEF offering jobs or prizes. Others emails contain incorrect information about salary packages of senior staff from a range of NGOs, including UNICEF,” he said.
Mr McKinlay said that authentic emails and phone communications from UNICEF do not ask for large sums of money or offer incentives to donors.
“If you have any questions over the validity of an offer or are worried about email or phone communication you have received regarding UNICEF, please contact us on 0800-243575 or email 2helpkids@unicef.org.nz,” he said.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
UNICEF is a charity, funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
