Customers urged to be vigilant at all times
Westpac has joined hands with IDCARE to help people and organisations deal with the complex and distressing aftermath of identity theft and financial crime.
The team-up will see Westpac referring customers to IDCARE where expert identity and cybersecurity case managers can provide free, thorough and detailed advice on how to respond to data breaches, scams, identity theft, and cybersecurity concerns.
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Carolyn Kidd, Westpac NZ CRO, said the partnership with IDCARE will help reduce financial crime and the impact it has on people’s lives.
“Having your money stolen or identity fraudulently used is incredibly stressful, and many people need dedicated resource to understand and feel supported through the aftermath,” Kidd said. “Often, education is needed to prevent subsequent attacks, and IDCARE specialises in providing that aid. Fraudsters and scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated, and we have dedicated teams working around the clock to keep Kiwis safe.”
Kidd also reminded customers that they, too, can prevent themselves from becoming a victim of financial crimes by staying vigilant at all times.
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Neil Hallett, New Zealand operations manager for IDCARE, said it’s important to educate and support those impacted by scams and identity theft to make sure they can recognise and avoid them in the future.
“Scam victims are likely to be targeted again and again by criminals, especially if they provided remote access to their device,” Hallet said. “By equipping them with knowledge and expert advice, we can reduce the harm they could be exposed to.”
Fraud and scams can happen to anyone. Hallet said it’s IDCARE’s job “to educate and empower customers so they’re confident interacting online again.”
Here are some tips from Westpac to keep your money safe this summer:
- Don’t open email or text links from people or organisations you don’t recognise
- Never give out your personal or banking information online
- If you see an offer that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Investigate it thoroughly
