Overseas callers are targeting Telecom mobile customers in a phishing scam currently doing the rounds.
The scammers are contacting people on their mobile phones. When they reach a Telecom post-paid mobile customer, the caller advises that the customer has won a $50 account credit and asks for their personal details (full name, address, birth date etc) and whether they are a post-paid or prepaid account holder.
Once these details have been obtained, the impersonator contacts the Telecom Call Centre posing as the customer in order to set up additional mobile numbers. Telecom believes the intention is to use these mobile phones to charge up large bills to the customer's account. A small number of Telecom customers have been affected by this scam in recent days.
Telecom is closely investigating the scam and working to identify any customers who may have been targeted. It is also closing down any mobile phones connected as part of the scam.
Telecom Call Centre staff have been informed and are reminding customers not to give out personal details to people who call them.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Scams - our guide to what to watch for and how to protect yourself
Member Comments
Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...
To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
from just $28
Got a message a couple of days ago on my mobile phone from 127 saying "Yr Telecom mobile Password is tnhf. It will expire in 1 hr. If u didn't ask 4 this, log on 2 https:// pwn.telecom.co.nz/pwn from yr PC asap & reset yr password."
Suspected a scam and contacted telecom by phone who confirmed they hadn't sent it.