A reminder - Kings Computers will be closed starting 11/2 and reopening on 18/2.
Kings Computers will be closed from 11th February until 17th February. We are going out of town for a summer holiday. It's been a long time since we've done anything beyond a long weekend and we decided it's time for a break.
Phones probably wont be answered...just leave a message.
Normally I wouldn't announce this kind of thing, but security at the workshop will be tight as the house wont be empty 🙂
Some interesting information from Stuff about what stolen credit card information is worth to criminals.![]()
www.stuff.co.nz/business/124013101/kiwi-identity-theft-how-much-is-your-identity-worth-on-the-dar...
Kiwi identity theft: How much is your identity worth on the dark web?
www.stuff.co.nz
Study reveals prices paid for New Zealanders' personal data on the dark web. Christmas – New Year hours / 2020-2021![]()
25 December : Closed
26 December : Closed
27 December : Closed
28 December : Closed
29 December : Open
30 December : Open
31 December : Open
1 January : Closed
2 January : Closed
3 January : Closed
4 January : Closed
5 January : Open![]()
P.S. I'm taking a holiday in February.
I just had a phone call from a family member which has prompted me to write this.![]()
If someone knocks on your door and says they represent a company or organisation, insist on getting identification that you can take with you as you call their company to verify identity. If they refuse to give ID, or wont let you take it with you, shut the door.![]()
Other general rules - Don't give personal details such as full name and date of birth or phone numbers. Ignore any emails or txt's they may send you. And never ever give them bank account details.
www.facebook.com
"Fraud Awareness Week 15 – 21 November – Stop and Think…Is this for real, why would you want to give ME money?"
New Zealand Police want your attention for Fraud Awareness Week.
Fraud Awareness Week is an opportunity for organisations and individuals to discuss the impacts of fraud and how to protect themselves.
“New Zealanders continue to lose significant amounts of money to scammers every year.![]()
It’s an issue that not only affects people from all walks of life but takes many forms,” says Detective Superintendent Iain Chapman, National Manager, Financial Crime Group.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you are from, anyone is likely to be approached by a scammer - it’s more common than you think."
NZ Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams. In the United States, the estimated annual losses are $US650 million.
"Many people who have been scammed are too proud to make a complaint, as they may feel embarrassed or silly about getting 'sucked in'," says Detective Superintendent Chapman.
"As a result, a significant number of these scams are grossly under-reported.![]()
It’s believed millions are lost each year and never reported."
“Police, along with our partner agencies, continue to encourage you to take the time to stop and think for a minute when you're confronted with a possible scam situation - especially when you are contacted unexpectedly and asked for your personal information."
"It doesn’t have to be something as clichéd as a prince or princess in a foreign country offering to deposit money into your account - it can be more subtle and clever and anyone can get caught out."
"Sadly, scammers are getting smarter and their scams are becoming more sophisticated."
"They are preying on people’s insecurities, and in some instances, appealing to people's desire for some 'easy' financial gain - for example, by promising cash for helping the scammer do something."
"What you need to ask yourself is: 'Is this for real? Why would you want to give me money? There must be a catch?'"
“There usually is," says Detective Superintendent Chapman.
"The catch is you getting scammed."
HOW TO AVOID A SCAM:
• A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you to ask for your PIN, password or to move money to another account.
• Never click on a link in an unexpected email or text – you could be giving access to your personal and financial details.
• Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam.![]()
Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic – just because someone knows your basic details (name and address, or mother’s maiden name) it doesn’t mean they are genuine.
• Don’t be rushed into making a decision or financial transaction on the spot – a genuine bank or trusted organisation would never do this.
• Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it generally is.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam you can contact Police and report the matter via 105.
Visit scamwatch.govt.nz for more information on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Back to Level 2 (12/8 - 14/8). For Kings Computers this means 2 metres of physical distancing, which will rule out home visits, and mean carefully organised workshop visits. It's not for long and we can do this 🙂
www.facebook.com
Recently lots of holes have been dug in the ground around Te Aroha. With pipe sticking out some of them. This for UFB (Ultra Fast Broadband, aka Fibre). Fibre will be run down those pipes to make it all ready to install fibre into your house.![]()
I'd suggest using a local internet provider called NMBL and you can contact that at www.nmbl.nz/
www.nmbl.nz
NMBL (pronouned nimble) provides Internet connectivity, IP phone services, website design and hosting and email services. Based in Te Aroha, our focus is providing value-added IT services to small-medium business and community groups. We also provide home and business Internet connections right acro... I have been informed by my bank (BNZ) that they will no longer accept cheques as of July 2021. I don't have many options for alternatives as ANZ, ASB, Westpac and Kiwibank have all announced similar cut-off dates.![]()
I generally have eftpos facilities with me, which I hope will be a good alternative for many.![]()
I'll post more as we get closer to the cut-off date.
Level 1 of Covid-19 means normality for Kings Computers. No more social distancing which makes it so much easier to work on your computer equipment. This should also be the last post about Covid-19 and I thank everyone for doing their bit to beat it.
www.facebook.com
Another recall -
Power Supply for WD My Passport Wireless Pro & SSD
www.recalls.govt.nz
The power supply is unsafe when used with the adapter for Australia or New Zealand. The hard drive/SSD and USB cables are not affected. There is a risk of electric shock arising from the exposure of live parts if the power supply is assembled incorrectly. Stop using your power supply (APP524-051240U... Some BNZ customers are being targeted by automated calls claiming to be from VISA.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately.
Check out our Scam Savvy website for more information www.getscamsavvy.co.nz/
Now that we are at Level 2 of the Covid-19 response, Kings Computers is almost fully operational. I will use the 1-metre separation rule as I keep customer information and thus have traceability info. I would still prefer drop-off at 7 Kenrick St, but at Level 2 it is much easier for me to visit you.
www.facebook.com
With our Covid-19 response moving to Level 3 on Tuesday (28 April) there wont be many changes for Kings Computers. While we will no longer be limited to "essential" jobs, we will still be required to follow the rules around separation.
As such I would prefer people to bring their computers to me at the address below as that will make it easier to maintain separation.
Stay healthy and hopefully we will get to Level 2 and Level 1 shortly.![]()
Kings Computers
7 Kenrick St
next to St Mark's Church
www.facebook.com
Things keep changing. Which I guess is because putting an entire country into lock-down isn't something that people are experienced at doing.![]()
So, while my workshop is closed, I now am able to attend Essential Businesses or people working from home.![]()
For everyone else, I can still be contacted my phone for advice or maybe remote support, but you might need to leave a message on the machine.
Things keep changing at a rapid pace. Thus, as we enter Level 4, I'm closed as I'm not classed as an Essential Service.
I expect you've all heard a lot about the COVID-19 virus. Along with information from various businesses about how they are reacting to it.
At the moment it is business as usual for Kings Computers. However, if you're suffering from a cold, or flu, or something worse, please let me know and we'll sort out something for you.
www.facebook.com
Apart from when I first started the page and company, I never went after "likes" as I was too busy giving great service to people. However, many thanks to all those who have liked this page as we hit 300 likes total.
I'm sure you are all aware that security support for Windows 7 has ended. This doesn't mean that Windows 7 will suddenly stop working, although you might get a screen giving you the official story from Microsoft.![]()
For residential customers I suggest that you look into upgrading to Windows 10 within the next year or two.![]()
For business customers I suggest sooner rather than later.![]()
But one thing is for sure, you do need to upgrade.
www.facebook.com
These are a bit old, but someone may still be using them.
AC adapter for Epson “Perfection” scanners - Sold from 2010 to 2013
www.recalls.govt.nz
The AC adapters may overheat, melt or ignite potentially causing smoke, odour and deformation to the DC plug which can result in damage to the scanner and could result in an electrical fire. Stop using the AC adapter and visit Epson’s website or call the customer help line to check if your scanner... NZ Transport Agency is warning people to be on the lookout for a scam vehicle licence (rego) email currently in circulation.![]()
While the email appears to be a standard vehicle licensing (rego) renewal reminder, with the NZ Transport Agency logo and links to the online transaction website, it is part of a sophisticated phishing exercise. The phishing email also comes from an email address with an nzta.co.nz suffix, rather than nzta.govt.nz.![]()
If you’ve recently received an email asking you to renew your rego, please check the email details carefully. If the email was genuinely sent from the Transport Agency, it will include your specific vehicle details including:![]()
• your vehicle’s plate number
• vehicle make
• the expiry date of your current vehicle licence.![]()
If the email does not include your specific vehicle details, do not complete the online renewal transaction webpage that the email takes you to. If you think you’ve received a scam email, or you’re unsure, please call NZTA on 0800 108 809.![]()
For more info visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/nz-transport-agency-warning-customers-to-be-on-guard-against-emai...
Kings Computers updated their address.
www.facebook.com
We've moved to 7 Kenrick St. Next to St Mark's Church and across from the Fire Station. While we have moved, we are still unpacking and trying to find things.![]()
When you call us on 884 9590 you may get diverted to voice mail on my cellphone. Not an ideal situation but there is some confusion between 2, or more, telecommunication companies. So, please leave a voice mail and we will get in touch as soon as possible. Hopefully normal service will return shortly.
www.facebook.com
I think everyone has received an email from a bank, an internet company, or someone else that looks really legitimate but isn't. If in any doubt, delete it, or call the company that sent it to you to confirm.Phishing emails can look and feel legitimate. They use the same design and logos as the company or organisation they’re pretending to be, and the same kind of language.![]()
It's so important to stop and think - 'Is this for real?'![]()
This week is Fraud Awareness Week so check out our top tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.![]()
consumerprotection.govt.nz/is-this-a-scam/
I've decided that moving isn't much fun. Well, packing equipment that is still needed to help customers creates all sorts of issues. So far so good.![]()
Remember, as of 2 December we'll be at 7 Kenrick St, Te Aroha.
Timeline PhotosIf you ever receive an unsolicited text from your bank or service provider asking you to verify your identity or provide personal information, it may be a scam.![]()
Stop and think - 'Is this for real?' ![]()
This week is Fraud Awareness Week so check out our top tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe![]()
consumerprotection.govt.nz/is-this-a-scam/
My previous post referenced some old suburb names in Te Aroha. That was just me being rather obscure 🙂
We are moving to 7 Kenrick St. It is on the corner of Kenrick and Koromiko and many people will know the building as St Mark's Vicarage. The move will happen at the end of this month, and I'm hoping it will all go smoothly.😁
We are moving from Herriesville South across the river to Hightown.
Kings Computers is moving to a new location in Te Aroha. More details like dates and location to be published when I have the details worked out.