The scam targets parents' heart strings for credit card details
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Westpac NZ’s financial crime team has reported receiving multiple reports of scammers pretending to be the victim’s child on popular messaging app Whatsapp.
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Westpac said the scammer tells the parent that they’re messaging from a new phone number and that they are trying to buy a replacement phone but are having trouble with their credit card. The scammer then goes to request for the victim’s payment details to buy a new phone.
Westpac’s financial crime teams said other banks have reported the same scam and are warning Kiwis to be vigilant.
“If you receive a message like this from someone you know, call them on their previous number to confirm whether they made this request,” a Westpac financial crime team spokesperson said. “Do not allow others to use your card, card number, or PIN.”
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The Whatsapp scam comes following a spate of phishing texts coming from various Australian mobile numbers. The texts have been sending a website link used to steal customers’ credit card details and online banking credentials.
The fraud team urged customers to be wary of any messages that are unexpected – whether by text, phone, or email – and not to click on any links.
Customers can report messages to [email protected]. Westpac said customers should then delete the messages and contact their bank to check whether correspondence is genuine.