Cyber Security

How cyber safe are you?

According to New Zealand Lotto, the odds of you winning are about 1 in 3.8 million. Unfortunately, your chances of being caught out by a scammer are much, much higher. In the first half of 2023 alone, instances of cyber-crime in New Zealand rose by 66%, representing a loss of around $6 million. That means 1 in every 550 Kiwis could be affected by cyber-crime.

At SPCA Pet Insurance, we work hard to make sure your personal information is secure. But no matter what processes and technology we have in place to help keep you safe, awareness will always be the best way to protect yourself against the rising threat of scams.

So, what is a scam?

Have you been contacted by someone out of the blue? Have they promised you something, or asked you to perform a seemingly straightforward task for them? Be careful, it could be a scam.

Scams could be an offer of easy money, a too-good-to-be-true bargain, exclusive knowledge or a rare breed of dog or cat, but all designed to trick you out of your hard-earned money or steal your personal information.

Most scams fall into the following categories:

Buying or selling scams trick you into handing over money for fake products or services, usually through fake websites that look like the real thing or by sending you authentic-looking bills or invoices for things you never ordered. For prospective pet-parents, scams around dogs and cats are becoming increasingly common, with scammers posing as a breeder offering to sell you a pet at a greatly reduced price.

Dating and romance scams lure people who are looking for a romantic partner with fake profiles, then use emotional triggers to trick or guilt them into providing money, gifts, or their personal details.

Charity scams often impersonate genuine charities, asking for donations that are linked to natural disasters such as the 2023 floods.

Investment scams offer potential victims an opportunity to make money, such as fake property or business deals or a gambling system that “can’t miss”.

Jobs and employment scams trick you into paying for exclusive training or guaranteed access to a dream role that you don’t have the qualifications or experience for.

Threats and extortion scams are often originated by scammers who pretend to be from the police or government, threatening to release sensitive information about you, imprison you, or even threaten your life if you don’t hand over money or your personal information.

Unexpected money scams involve promises of a large sum of money, such as an inheritance from a distant relative or a lottery win, but require you to hand over your personal information or pay a fee to release the funds.

Remote access scams convince potential victims to hand over control of their computer or other device, with scammers often pretending to be from your electricity or gas company, or internet or phone provider.

Unexpected win scams trick you into handing over money or your personal information in order to receive a prize from a lottery or competition that you never entered.

Scams can be delivered via email, SMS or instant messaging, a dating website or social media platform like Facebook or Instagram, video calls such as Skype or FaceTime, online surveys, or even a USB drive posted to your address.

Purr-fect suggestions to help keep you safe

When it comes to your online safety, make sure you follow these hints and tips:

• Never share your PIN, security codes or passwords with anyone.
• Never write your password down and leave it where someone else might find it, such as your computer or on the fridge.
• Never click on any links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Known as phishing or smishing, clicking on these links can give scammers access to your electronic device, allowing them to steal personal information such as your passwords, bank details and credit card numbers. These links often look legitimate but take you to a fraudulent website.
• At any time, be aware that the accounts of your friends or other contacts could be compromised and controlled by a third party. Before clicking on any link, no matter who it’s from, always move your mouse over the link to see where the link will take you to. If anything looks suspicious, confirm with the sender by contacting them through a different channel of communication.
• Never reply to an email or text message that asks for your personal information. Verify any request with the sender by contacting them directly through a different communication channel.
• Never give anyone access to your computer remotely, especially if you have been contacted out of the blue by someone you don’t know.
• Ensure your electronic devices are secured using biometric features such as Two-Factor Authentication (thumbprint or facial recognition), and always make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.
• Never use an obvious password, such as your birthday or your pet or child’s name, as a scammer can easily work these out by searching your social media accounts. Consider using a password generator to create unique, complex passwords for your devices and accounts. Change your passwords regularly and don’t reuse the same password on more than one account or device.
• Never store your passwords on a browser. Use a password manager to store them securely instead.
• Avoid connecting to a public Wi-Fi network. If you must use public Wi-Fi, never conduct any banking or login to websites that require your personal details.
• Never use a USB drive unless you know where it came from.
• Don’t answer calls from any phone numbers that you don’t recognise.
• Be wary of any business that requests an unusual payment method, such as direct fund transfer, money order, pre-loaded card, wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Confirm the request with the sender by contacting them directly through a different communication channel.
• Be wary of any new friend requests or potential romantic partners who ask for money or gifts soon after meeting them.
• Avoid any offer that pressures you into making a decision immediately.
• If you’ve received an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is — this could include things like high-end fashion or popular electronic devices at bargain-basement prices, or a once-in-a-lifetime return on investment.
• If we send you an SMS or email, it will clearly identify us and provide a contact number. If you are ever in doubt about any message you receive from us, always go directly to our website by typing spcapetinsurance.co.nz into a new browser window rather than clicking on any links in an email or SMS. It’s always better to be safe, rather than sorry.