More often than not involves emails, but occasionally phone calls, that are unsolicited and designed to trick you into giving up your security details such as your personal identification number or your password.
An internet virus gets into your computer and records your mouse clicks and key strokes and broadcast them back over the internet to the creator. They then decode your security details.
These claim to offer consumers a commission for receiving money into your bank account and then transferring it out again. Ask yourself: why would you let someone transfer money into your bank account?
These more often than not promise high returns with little risk. There will be little or no information on offer and you will be warned to keep the scheme secret.
Unsolicited offers of overseas
persistent telephone callers offer to buy or sell shares in overseas companies.
When you send money the shares turn out to be worthless.
Our old friends the Nigerian letter and the world-famous El Gordo Lottery fraud.
Riches on a magnificent scale await you if you send money first to get the transaction moving.
Never
Send any money or your bank account information to someone you don't know or trust.
Never
Respond to an email asking for personal identification numbers or passwords. If you are asked for them, it is likely to be a scam.
Banks
Genuine banks do not send emails asking for security information. No matter how genuine the emails from the ``bank'' look, don't reply to them and report them to the bank.
Investment opportunities
When that golden investment opportunity comes along, ask for an investment statement. Under New Zealand legislation almost all investments have to have a published investment statement.
Business Orders
Businesses should be wary of accepting unusual orders for your goods or services from unknown overseas buyers. Don't pay fees in advance.