The Star: May 31, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday May 31 2018 17
News
HORNCASTLE ARENA
June 29 - July 1 10AM - 5PM
TICKETS ONLINE: starhomeshow.kiwi
Lottery win? Watch out it could be a scam
• By Julia Evans
A TOURISM brochure with a
winning USD$200,000 lottery
ticket is the latest scam to hit
Christchurch.
The Department of Internal
Affairs website said there has
been about 200 incarnations of
the “Malaysian Travel Scratchie”
scam – the latest, known as
Asian Focus Tourism, was
posted to addresses around the
city last week.
The scam is a letter with
a professionally produced
brochure and two scratch
and win tickets, revealing a
USD$200,000 prize.
“Malaysian holiday/scratch
ticket scam changes the name
on the brochures being sent out
but the content on the brochure
and the amount of money you
have won stays the same,” the
DIA website said.
Recipients have to send their
personal details back to the
company and are then asked to
transfer money to a bank account
in order to claim the false
prize.
“Winners between the first
and third prize are obliged to
provide required information
for further verification,” the
ticket said.
Consumer NZ said you should
never respond to an unsolicited
email, letter or phone call.
“Scammers work hard to appear
trustworthy, and it’s good
to do some research or thinking
before you engage with a person
or opportunity,” it said.
It said if you receive a letter,
phone call or email, to be “suspicious”
and do research before
sending your personal details.
In March Reiana Janine
Hilton pleaded guilty to multiple
counts of fraud after being
involved in a scam targeting
elderly women.
Her sentencing was delayed at
the start of the month due to a
failed drug test.
Hilton was part of a group of
offenders obtained more than
$270,000 from at least 30 victims,
aged between 74 and 95.
The women were called and
told there was an issue with their
power or telephone account
that needed to be resolved with
money, otherwise the power or
SCAM: Fraudulent
lottery tickets are
being posted out
with a brochure.
PHOTO: MARTIN
HUNTER
phone line would be cut off.
Door-to-door salespeople
claiming to be from Meridian
targeted elderly people in
Halswell and Aidanfield in 2014.
They also threatened to cut
their power if they did not hand
over financial details.
Scams should be reported to
the DIA through the scamwatch.
co.nz website. Or the letter can
be posted to Electronic Messaging
Compliance Unit, Department
of Internal Affairs, PO Box
805, Wellington 6140.
HOW TO AVOID SCAMS
•Never reply to any email or
letter asking you to confirm
your bank or credit card details.
Legitimate organisations
will never ask you to do this.
The same applies if you’re
asked for this information
over the phone.
•If you’re buying goods online,
check the billing process is
secure. Ensure the business
has a physical address and
telephone number.
•Research the firms you’re
dealing with. Use the Companies
Register to see if the
company exists and who’s
behind it.
•Don’t be swayed by coldcallers
promising bargain
deals or instant riches if you
sign up on the spot. Legitimate
companies will give you
time to do your research.
•If you think you’ve been
scammed, report it to police.
If you’ve handed over your
bank details, contact your
bank and immediately suspend
your account. Fraudulent
credit card transactions
can sometimes be reversed.
NEW Housing Project
29 Lesley Keast Place
Tenanting
Now
for July
Occupancy
The Housing Plus Charitable Foundation is building 8, two bedroom units
at 29 Lesley Keast Place, Hornby for people with emotional or
social need who would benefit from a safe, secure
environment with low level support. The Trust
will be tenanting with two people per unit.
Contact Margaret Willis
Ph. 021 024 32182
E. margaret@hpcf.co.nz
Free
yourself
from heel pain
...and get your active lifestyle back on track.
Shockwave Therapy is non-invasive and can
effectively relieve your heel pain.
Clown Doctors New Zealand provide medical clowning programmes to health
care facilities and share with children and elderly the many healing benefits of
laughter. Clown Doctors use humour for a therapeutic purpose, according to
individual needs - making hospitals a little less scary for children and alleviating
boredom and creating spontaneity in the lives of the elderly.
7 Milton Street, Somerfield | Phone 332 9792
259 Ilam Road, Ilam | Phone 351 0886
footprintspodiatry.co.nz
BookingS ESSEnTial