Police 👮♀️ vs Scammers 🚫
It can be tough knowing that there is a high chance that beautiful necklace you want to buy over Facebook is not real.
We recently had a victim in the Waikato who had been scammed 3 times, by the same person, trying to buy the same product, losing $1,000 in the process.
Scamming Red Flags:
🚩The seller is being pushy.
🚩The seller asks for too many personal details.
🚩The items are too good to be true.
🚩The price is too good to be true.
If you’re surfing the web 🏄♂️ and in the process of purchasing something consider the following tips to stay safe:
✅Never give away personal information.
✅Complete the transaction in person with cash when possible.
✅Screenshot every conversation and the persons details.
✅Do not trust everyone over the internet.
We deal with cases of online scammers every day, but we know there are many more incidents out there that are not being reported.
An online crime, is the same as an offline crime and you can absolutely report it to us so that we can help you. 💪
#SaferCommunitiesTogether
Wireless landline power back-up product recall | Spark NZ
Wireless landline power back-up product recall | Spark NZ
www.spark.co.nz
Get nonstop Netflix when you join a Spark entertainment broadband plan. No more short-term Netflix deals. Terms apply. Sign up today.I recently had a chance to try internet access via a 4G Wireless modem. I won't mention the ISP, but as only 2 offer this service, you have a 50/50 chance of guessing right 🙂
It's not perfect as 4G was really designed for cell phones, but in areas where ADSL or VDSL isn't available, then 4G Wireless is a good option. It works well, is fast enough for general use, and can even provide a VOIP phone connection. (If you don't know what VOIP is, then you probably don't need it).
For rural people, it provides some competition to Lightwire (aka No 8 wireless) or Farmside. It comes down to who has the nearest tower to you, and thus the fastest speed.
Of course, we'd all love to have fibre (aka UFB). But for Te Aroha, that's next year.
www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/two-charged-money-laundering-over-sophisticated-phone-scam-ta...
Two charged with money laundering over sophisticated phone scam targeting elderly Kiwis
www.tvnz.co.nz
Victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on the scams, police say.15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program
Apple has determined that, in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk. Affected units were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and product eligibility is determined by the product serial number.
Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and we have voluntarily decided to replace affected batteries, free of charge.
Eligibility
First check to see which 15-inch MacBook Pro you have. Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu () in the upper-left corner of your screen. Confirm your model is "MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)." If you have that model, enter your computer's serial number below to see if it is eligible for this program.
If your MacBook Pro is eligible, please stop using it and follow the instructions below to have your battery replaced.
support.apple.com/en-nz/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall
15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support
support.apple.com
15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall ProgramMacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, mid-2015 model)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, mid-2015 model)
www.recalls.govt.nz
Apple has determined that in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk. If you have an older generation Apple MacBook Pro: follow the instructions and use the serial number lookup tool, to determine if it is affected and elig...Kings Computers updated their phone number.
From the NZ Police -
www.police.govt.nz/news/release/don%E2%80%99t-let-your-loved-ones-fall-victim-scams
Don’t let your loved ones fall victim to scams
www.police.govt.nz
New Zealand Police want to help prevent your loved ones falling victim to scams – and we need you to spread the word with your friends and families.An interesting article from Stuff.
'Older people can learn': Digital skills important to help seniors stay connected
www.stuff.co.nz
Jenny Greig is 80 and uses her smart phone for "just about everything", including casting her favourite shows to her TV.I'm not sure what other banks are doing. But those that pay their bills by cheque, including those that pay me by cheque, will need to be aware of these changes happening.
Good news for so many of us.
Microsoft surrenders in its Windows Update war with users
www.reseller.co.nz
It’s another sign that the company is changing in fundamental ways under the leadership of Satya Nadella.Kings Computers updated their information in their About section.
- Desktop/Laptop computer repair.
- Smartphone repair
- Virus and Malware removal.
- Laptop overheating and crashing/stopping.
- 30 years of experience with all kinds of hardware and software.
- Flexible with Reasonable Rates.
Contact Kings Computers in Te Aroha on the following Facebook page or Website.
www.facebook.com/KingsComputersNZ
kingscomputers.co.nz
www.facebook.com
Providing Computer maintenance, upgrade and repair services. Pickup, Drop Off or Onsite in the greater Te Aroha Areas.Please follow the instructions in the link if you are using one of these devices.
Cotton On - Powerbank: Pocket Power Charger Bank (various designs)
www.recalls.govt.nz
The product does not comply with relevant electrical safety standard and has the potential to overheat. Risk of fire and electric shock. Stop using your 'Pocket Power Charger Bank' and return it to any Cotton On or Cotton On BODY store for a refund.Timeline PhotosWe've been made aware of opportunistic online scams in the wake of the tragic events last week. There are official channels to donate money to the victims of these tragic events. If you wish to donate, seek out official platforms and banks rather than using links in emails or on social media. Here is a page on how to report a scam:
www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/report-a-scam
NZ ISPs block internet footage of Christchurch shootings
NZ ISPs block internet footage of Christchurch shootings
futurefive.co.nz
2degrees, Spark, Vodafone and Vocus are now blocking any website that shows footage of the mosque shootings.Spark’s newly completed Cat-M1 IoT network reaches 98% of New Zealanders
Spark’s newly completed Cat-M1 IoT network reaches 98% of New Zealanders
www.sparknz.co.nz
As New Zealand’s leading digital services company, Spark New Zealand has a powerful purpose: To help all of New Zealand win big in a digital world.Our hearts and prayers are with the Muslim communities of Matamata-Piako, Christchurch and throughout New Zealand in the wake of this unspeakable act of violence. NZ is your home, you are part of what makes us special. Kia kaha
Was reading this and received a call from a customer about this exact thing. I was very happy to tell him it was just another scam.
Surge in email scams detected by cyber-safety body Cert NZ
www.stuff.co.nz
Extortion scams include everything from bomb hoaxes to threats to share compromising images.Scammers claim to be Police and Spark targeting internet fraud
Scammers claim to be Police and Spark targeting internet fraud
www.tvnz.co.nz
The called maintains remote access to the computer of the victim who's asked to buy iTunes gift cards which the scammer redeems.This is to let all my amazing customers in Tauranga know that my old Tauranga phone number will be disconnected at the end of this month. To reach me after that please call 07 884 9590 or 027 630 8568.
Noel Leeming stung with $200K fine for misleading tech buyers
Noel Leeming stung with $200K fine for misleading tech buyers
www.reseller.co.nz
Noel Leeming has been fined $200,000 for misleading consumers about their rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act, in relation to technology purchases.I just got this email from Spark. Well, it's not actually from Spark, but it does look authentic. Keep an eye out for these and delete them if you find them in your email.
About the same time as Te Aroha will get UFB (aka Fibre)
Spark 5G launch announced: 1 July 2020
www.geekzone.co.nz
Spark aims to have New Zealand's first 5G network live on the Auckland Harbour by 1 July 2020 for Emirates Team New Zealand to use as part of its preparation to defend the America's Cup.Scamwatch NZ have just published some excellent descriptions of common types of scams that people are seeing.
www.facebook.com/FraudInfo/
www.facebook.com
Providing official information on scams and fraud in New Zealand.www.mbie.govt.nz/about/engage-with-us-on-social-media/
For those who know what Google+ is/was.
Google shutting down Google+ after exposing data of up to 500,000 users
www.cnet.com
But the search giant didn't disclose the vulnerability because it reportedly feared regulatory scrutiny.An interesting statistic.
Ever-decreasing dial-up | Techblog
dlvr.it
Every year a curious statistic is published by Stats NZ - the number of New Zealand residential dial-up internet connections. This year it's down to 18,000, a 25% reduction on last year. There are presumably two reasons why someone would continue with their a dial-up connection - they can't get broa...This isn't directly related to computers. But many computer scams do start out as a phone call, so the advise to hang up on them is good advise for all computer users.Cold calling about investment products is illegall in NZ. Hang up if you get a call from Capital Management – it’s on the FMA suspected scam list.
As the article says, please help make sure your family and friends are aware of these kinds of scams.Pretty sad scam here guys and I will tell you now that these horrible thieves pray on the vulnerable. It is our job to discuss this kind of issue with the older people in our family, friends circle or even neighbours.
Mr. John here receives a phone call from 'Spark'. Naturally the caller is very demanding and persuasive. Despite John requesting to call them back they refuse and the conversation continues.
One thing leads to another and they remotely take control of his computer. John logs onto his online banking whilst they watch and collate all his information.
$50,000 later Mr. John realises what has happened. The bank did a good job in getting $20,000 of it back but the rest is gone and I mean GONE!
He also received this poorly constructed letter pretending to be the police. Just shows the lengths these con-artists go to.
Please take some time out of your week to discuss this with someone. In this situation Mr. John was relatively clued up with technology but they still got him.
Thanks for sharing,
Jack
#Scams
Spark