Grey Power March 2017

NZ GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » MARCH 2017 17
Insulating for healthy homes
A couple on the Kapiti coast say having their home
insulated has made it much easier to heat. Laurie and
Evelyn have lived in their home for more than 25 years
and knew it was too cold.
They became aware they might qualify
for free ceiling and underfloor insulation
through EECA, the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
From July, the insulation is offered to tenants
with a Community Services Card. The
programme may also accept referrals from
low-income households with health conditions
related to cold, damp housing.
Evelyn and Laurie
Further details will be available by 1 July
2016. Check the Energywise website below.
Laurie says getting the insulation installed
was quick and easy and the house is much
cosier.
“The house is much warmer and retains
heat at the end of the day.”
If you are renting, visit www.energywise.
govt.nz to find out if you qualify for the
free insulation.
Don’t be a victim - be aware of scams!
Fraudsters use a victim’s emotions
to create a sense of urgency, insisting
that the victim send money
using a money transfer service such as
Western Union.
For example, in perpetrating a tax
scam, the fraudster may claim that the
victim has outstanding taxes that need to
be settled immediately to avoid arrest or
having their assets frozen.
The fraudster will ask the victim to
send the amount to pay the taxes immediately
via money transfer, direct to
a bank account or even to purchase gift
cards.
To help protect yourself against fraud,
Wayne Howarth, Western Union, regional
fraud risk manager, Asia Pacific says:
“Awareness is the best defence. These
scams can be convincing, but it’s important
to verify before sending any money.”
Follow these tips to help avoid falling
victim to a scam:
• Never send money to an individual for
the payment of tax charges or fees tax
scam.
• Never send money to an individual
you have not met in person.
• Never send money to claim a lottery,
prize winnings or compensation payment.
• Never send money for an employment
opportunity.
• Never send money for internet purchases.
• Never send money to a grandchild,
friend or family member for an emergency
situation you have not personally
confirmed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Iain Chapman
of Financial Crime Group New Zealand
states: “Always verify situations before
sending any money.
“If it is too good to be true, it probably
is - if in doubt, seek professional advice.”
To learn more about common scams
and how to protect yourself from fraud,
visit our website at: https://www.westernunion.com/nz/en/fraud-awareness.
html or visit www.scamwatch.govt.nz.
For more tips against scams watch
how the Advanced Fee/Prepayment
Scam plays off people’s emotions at
https://youtu.be/MVhhy_E1184.
Useful scam prevention advice
at https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=kDt4SEvQZWk.
Evelyn and Laurie
Evelyn says she’s a fan
of EECA tips:
• Make sure you ventilate your home,
even in winter, by opening doors
or windows for about 20 minutes a
day. Having lots of moisture in your
home makes it harder to heat.
• Dry washing outside or in the garage
or carport. Drying them indoors
or with a clothes dryer that is not
ducted to the outside will increase
the moisture in the air, making your
home damper.
• Unflued gas heaters are bad for your
health as they release large amounts
of moisture and toxic combustion
gases into your house. They can also
be a fire hazard. Never use them in
a bedroom. A cheap electric heater
costs less to run and won’t make
your house damp.
• Consider using a dehumidifier together
with a heater. Having a warm
room makes it easier for a dehumidifier
to extract moisture.
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