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Police are warning residents of Timaru to be aware after more reports of people being victims of scams.
The number of people falling victim to scammers in the Timaru area has prompted police to warn the community.
Timaru Response Manager Senior Sergeant Dylan Murray Police continues to see local residents fall victim to a variety of scams, including online scams involving Facebook Marketplace and phone banking scams.
“With regard to Facebook Marketplace, our advice is the same in any situation when using social media to buy goods or services, you must be vigilant in every transaction.
“Especially if you pay money up front for a transaction, whether it’s buying goods or services. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Murray warned.
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He said police were also aware of community members receiving calls from people claiming to be from banks alerting customers to threats against their account.
He said the police had a simple message about these types of violations.
“Don’t talk to someone on the phone who asks for your help to change a password, for example. Banking organizations will never ask for this kind of help over the phone.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Senior Sergeant Dylan Murray is warning residents to be aware of a variety of scams as residents of Timaru continue to fall victim to a series of online and banking scams.
“If you think you are being scammed, hang up immediately, you are not going to offend anyone. And report the matter to your bank and the police.
“If in doubt about the legitimacy of a caller’s identity, ask to call them back, or just hang up, and never open links emailed to you by the scammer.”
“One click is all it takes to give violators access to your information.”
If you opened a link that installed remote access to your computer, make sure the device is turned off or disconnected from the Internet and seek help to ensure it is safely removed.
Anyone concerned should call the police at 105, he said.