In the past day I have had a number of clients ring me in a panic saying that the IRD have texted to tell them that they owed money for unpaid tax and offering a link to enable the payment. I have advised them to delete the text and not to follow any instructions the text asks of them.
DON'T GET HOOKED - this is phishing from online criminals.
Phishing is the act of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Criminals are masquerading as the IRD and are using online phishing scams (via email), SMS phishing (known as smishing) and voice phishing (known as vishing) scams to get personal information, money and identity.
If you receive an e-mail or text message notifying you of a tax refund or asking for your tax information, use the following tips to determine if it is genuine:
• Does it include a hyperlink that asks you to submit information?
• Does it include a specific $ value of the refund?
• Does it have errors in spelling or grammar?
If the answer is "Yes" to any of these questions, delete the text or e-mail and do not follow any instructions it contains.
If you come across an apparent IRD phishing scam and are unsure, please contact either your accountant or the IRD. The IRD can be contacted via [email protected] or 0800 227 774.
Hi I received a copy of your Property 101 book as part of subscribing to the Property Investor magazine. Once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down. I have 4 investment properties (all based in Upper Hutt, Wellington) but never really understood the science of property investing. I am so much more informed now that I have read your book. After reading your book I will approach my next purchase differently and be a much more informed investor. The weblinks also provide great sources of information to follow up on and a property mentor will be someone I will definitely be seeking out. At the end of the book it included an offer for a discussion with GRA which I am keen to take up. Regards - GH - September 2015
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