Phone Scammers

Phone scams are common in New Zealand, and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making some calls difficult to recognise as scams.

Scammers may claim to be calling from your bank, Microsoft, a courier company, a government agency, or an IT support team. Their goal is usually to trick you into sharing personal or financial information, making a payment, or giving them access to your accounts or device.

Common Phone Scams

Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations such as banks, government agencies, courier companies, or technical support providers.

In New Zealand, common examples include callers claiming to represent Inland Revenue (IRD), NZTA, Immigration New Zealand, courier companies, or other organisations requesting payments, threatening penalties, or asking you to confirm personal information.

Remember: a caller can make their number appear genuine. Caller ID should never be treated as proof of who is calling.

What Might a Scam Call Look Like?

Imagine you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft. They tell you there's a problem with your computer and need remote access to fix it.

They sound professional. They use technical language. They make the situation sound urgent.

The catch? They're not from Microsoft at all.

Their goal is to gain access to your device, install malicious software, or steal your information.

If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or another technical support provider, do not allow them access to your device.

Watch Out for These Red Flags

Be cautious if a caller:

• Creates a sense of urgency.
• Asks for passwords, authentication codes, or MFA codes.
• Requests banking, financial, or personal information.
• Wants you to install software or grant remote access.
• Pressures you to make an immediate payment.
• Threatens penalties, account suspension, or legal action.
• Becomes pushy when questioned.

If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and verify before taking action.

The "One Ring" Scam

You may receive a missed call from an unfamiliar number, often from overseas.

The phone rings once and stops before you can answer. The scammer is hoping you'll call back out of curiosity.

Calling back can connect you to premium-rate numbers that charge high fees while attempting to keep you on the line.

If you don't recognise the number and weren't expecting a call, don't call it back.

AI Voice Scams

Scammers are increasingly using AI to imitate a person's voice. They may pretend to be a colleague, manager, family member, or trusted organisation and create a sense of urgency to encourage quick action.

If someone requests money, sensitive information, account access, or urgent action, verify their identity using a trusted contact method such as Teams, email, or a phone number you already know is legitimate.

How to Stay Safe

• ✅ Take your time. Scammers rely on people reacting quickly.
• ✅ Verify requests using a trusted phone number or contact method.
• ✅ Hang up and contact the organisation yourself if you're unsure.
• ✅ Never share passwords, MFA codes, or sensitive information over the phone.
• ✅ Don't trust caller ID alone. Phone numbers can be spoofed.
• ✅ Contact the Help Desk if something doesn't seem right.

Need Help?

If you receive a suspicious call at work, believe you may have shared information, or are unsure whether a call is genuine, contact the Help Desk immediately (Email: helpdesk@wisegroup.co.nz).