Scams & Recognising Red Flags
In today's digital age, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering convenience, connectivity, and endless information. However, alongside its benefits are hidden dangers in the form of scams, hacks, and data breaches. Recently, I found myself in a situation mirroring the experiences of many others. I took a call from an Auckland phone number, the caller speaking with a British accent claiming to be from Westpac. He allegedly detected suspicious activity on my credit card from Christchurch - an immediate cause for concern. Who defines what constitutes "unusual activity" and how could he know my precise location? I could have easily been in Christchurch on a shopping spree. This initial conversation raised the first red flag. Once he realised I was onto him, he quickly became agitated and forceful, using words like 'urgent and serious' - the second red flag. He urged me to stay online, explaining the seriousness of the situation. He claimed to have the ability to block my card over the phone, which would save the valuable time it would take for me to get to my branch, allowing more time for the alleged hackers to empty my bank account - fear, the third red flag. It is all part of their plan to cause you to panic and not think clearly; they use fear and confusion. If you ever suspect a hacker is on the end of the line, your safest option is to hang up and go into your bank's branch or call your bank directly.
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