Scams and fraud quiz
Scams and fraud quiz
Scammers make off with $200 million from Kiwis each year.— They may use calls, texts, emails and fake websites to trick people into sending money, giving them personal and banking information, or access to their devices.
Test your knowledge
Take our quiz to learn what to look out for and how to stay safe from scams and fraud.
Question 1. Requesting remote access
Scammers may impersonate well-known companies to convince you that there are issues with your computer, device or internet connection, or there is unauthorised activity on your bank account. They'll ask you to download software or an app so they can help you fix the issue, but this gives them access to your device from another location.
What should you do if someone asks you to download something to your device or to click a link to install an app or software?
A. Download whatever they ask to fix your computer or device
Oops…
Don’t download unknown apps or software to your devices. If you give access and realise it’s a scam, turn off your device, disconnect it from the internet immediately and contact us.
B. Hang up immediately
Well done… that’s the correct answer
Don’t let anyone have remote access to your devices, no matter where they say they’re calling from.
C. Give them your log in credentials so they can help you
Oops…
Never give strangers access to your devices or personal or banking information. Change all your passwords using a different device and run a full security scan to check for malware. Ask a trusted friend or family member for help if you’re not sure how to do this.
Question 2. Receiving unsolicited phone calls
Scammers may claim there’s suspicious activity on your account and recommend you move your money into a new ‘safe account’.
What should you do when you receive unsolicited phone calls?
A. Move your money instantly as they claim to be from your bank
Oops…
ANZ will never ask you to move money into a ‘safe account’. Safe accounts are not a legitimate product.
If you’re ever asked to transfer money into an account that the scammer may claim is in your name, hang up immediately.
B. Hang up and call the bank on a publicly listed number
Well done… that’s the correct answer
Always contact the organisation on the phone number or other contact methods listed on their website if you’re unsure about a request. It’s okay to say no and hang up.
C. Keep talking to them until you think you can trust them
Oops…
If you‘re unsure about the legitimacy of a call, you have the right to say no and hang up.
You can always call the organisation on their publicly listed number to confirm if the request is legitimate.
Question 3. Receiving emails
Scammers may send emails impersonating well-known organisations. They use links and attachments in emails to drive people to fake websites, where they may ask you to enter personal and banking information. These scam emails can be extremely tricky to spot.
What should you do every time you receive an email?
A. Check the sender's email address and look for spelling and grammatical errors
Well done…that’s the correct answer
You have the right to take your time before acting on any request that asks for your personal or banking details or anything involving money.
B. Click the link or download the attachment so you can take a closer look
Oops…
Never click links in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails, especially when there’s a sense of urgency behind it. The scammers may be trying to trick you into acting quickly.
Question 4. Fake dating profiles
Romance scams involve scammers exploiting people looking for love or friendship. They create fake dating profiles on social media to get close to their targets over time, build their trust, and then ask for money.
What would you do if you’re asked to lend or give money to someone you met online? (select all that apply)
A. Pause to chat to trusted family or friends
Well done…that’s a correct answer
It can be a good idea to talk to a friend or family member, often they can see warning signs that you may have overlooked.
B. Stop contact with the person
Well done...that’s a correct answer
If the person has excuses for not meeting you in person or on a video call (where you can clearly see them on video), cut contact.
If you feel uneasy or unsure about any requests from an online friend or partner, or your relationship with them, talk to a trusted family member or friend.
C. Immediately transfer the money
Oops...
You may be caught up in a romance scam. Never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person. It’s okay to take your time and be cautious if you receive a request to send money to someone you have met online.
Question 5. Receiving texts from delivery companies
Scammers impersonating delivery companies can steal personal information and bank details by asking people to click on links in texts to provide more information to arrange fake deliveries, confirm pickups or pay fees on parcels.
How can you avoid a parcel delivery scam? (select all that apply)
A. Instead of clicking the text link, go directly to the website by typing in the URL yourself
Well done...that’s a correct answer
It’s better to type in a company URL from scratch rather than click through from a link.
Remember to use the tracking number that you were provided at the time of purchase, not the one from the text.
B. Reply to the message to ask for more information
Oops...
Avoid messaging or calling back numbers you don’t recognise. Stay vigilant when anyone contacts you out of the blue with unusual or urgent requests. Use trusted phone numbers instead (for example phone numbers listed on the company’s website).
C. Never click links in unexpected texts or emails
Well done...that’s a correct answer
These types of scams are usually an attempt to gain personal or banking information. Be on the lookout for texts or emails about parcel deliveries that may request you take further action.
Question 6. Investment deals
Investment scams can be difficult to spot. Scammers make unsolicited contact with time-limited deals that promise impressive returns.
What should you do if you’re contacted about an investment, or find one online, that seems too good to be true?
A. Transfer funds because you had been looking for an investment opportunity
Oops...
Scammers sometimes set up investment comparison websites to get your contact details. So even if you have been actively looking for an investment, you should always research the company, the investment opportunity, and the people behind it.
Look for information from independent sources, including regulatory agencies, financial analysts and reputable news outlets.
Visit the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) website for warnings and alerts on investment scams.
B. Listen to your doubts and say no
Well done… that’s the correct answer
Take your time to thoroughly look into it. Before making any decisions, consult a licensed financial advisor or investment professional.
It’s usually a red flag when an unexpected phone call, email, text message or social media chats asks you to invest.
C. Start with a small investment and add more when you start seeing returns
Oops...
Scammers may lure you in with initial returns to gain your trust. Always search up the business or individual to see if they are listed on the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) website. Also look for information from independent sources, including regulatory agencies, financial analysts, and reputable news outlets.
Question 7. Friends or relatives in trouble
There’s an elaborate ploy where scammers are posing as loved ones in trouble. These ‘loved ones’ are sending messages from new numbers or social media profiles asking for money.
How can you be sure a message is from a friend or relative?
A. It’s obvious if somebody is not who they say they are
Oops…
Scammers may create a sense of urgency around a request to distract you from signs that they may not be who they say they are.
You have the right to take your time to confirm if it really is your loved one.
B. It doesn’t matter because if a loved one is in trouble, it’s worth the risk
Oops…
Stay vigilant when anyone contacts you out of the blue with unusual or urgent requests. You have the right to ask questions to make sure it’s really them.
C. Have a secret family code word and use it to check if it’s really your loved one asking for help
Well done…that’s the correct answer
Scammers may impersonate loved ones to get you to act under a sense of urgency. You should always try to contact the person on the number you know is theirs or via their social media profile to double check.
If you can’t get hold of them, then you should check if they know the secret family code word or something only that person would know.
Age Concern digital literacy programme
If you have older whānau who want to be more confident online, contact your nearest Age Concern to enquire about courses to help with your digital skills or phone 0800 652 105.