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Hi everyone! Email, Text, and phonecall scams are now common, usually a fake computer company/internet company call claiming you have a virus, and of course, ALL are scams, no exception.
So it's worth warning people when one that's a bit different turns up.
Today I received a fake … View moreHi everyone! Email, Text, and phonecall scams are now common, usually a fake computer company/internet company call claiming you have a virus, and of course, ALL are scams, no exception.
So it's worth warning people when one that's a bit different turns up.
Today I received a fake VISA card phonecall scam, I haven't had one of those in ages. So some international scammer is trying it on again, and most people in NZ can probably expect to get a call like this sooner or later before they are stopped, or move on to target another country.
If you don't want to read further, here is the short answer:
IT'S ALWAYS (AND I MEAN ALWAYS!!) A SCAM.
If there is an issue with a credit card transaction, You call your own bank yourself when an expected payment doesn't go through.
You do not call VISA directly, and they don't call you directly.
If there is suspicious payment lodged, the credit card company or bank simply suspend it. If you are a business and the sum is large, an account manager from your bank may get in contact but this is easily verified by asking their name and section, and that you will hang up and then call the bank yourself, via their number in the phone book, to get back in touch with an account manager.
Ok, about today's scam call. It started with an almost believable high quality recorded message but if you have caller ID on your house phone, you can see that the number is clearly an international one, which is the first hint that it's most likely a scam.
(Note: not always the case: some scammers go the extra mile to fake a Caller ID that matches the expected range of the country they are targeting). This caller ID was 0190019161583230, clearly not within NZ.
The fake call is automated to start with - a prerecorded, english-speaking professional sounding voice says that it is VISA calling, and they have intercepted some suspicious transactions on your visa account, being Amazon and iTunes Gift Card purchases for several hundred dollars, and that they have stopped the transactions as you have not made a purchase from these sites before.
- To someone not used to phone scams, especially older folk, this may sound genuine - it's almost plausible, given that criminals do make online purchases using stolen credit card numbers.
The main thing that you should ask yourself is: why is "VISA" contacting you on your home phone number? instead of your local Bank? and the automated system does not ask for any proof that you are the card holder (amongst any of several people who may be living in the house?) able to make a decision to "reject or accept" charges? No name or account number is mentioned in this automated section, yet they tell you of two supposed specific charges on your account.
The voice then offers you two choices - to reject or accept the purchases (and by now, the worried victim would normally reject them).
Having "taken the bait", the system then says it will switch you to "an operator" and we are off! It bumps through two or more call system handovers, until you get a typical Indian sub-continent call centre, where the operator pauses to check their screen about which scam they are answering, before saying "VISA here, how may I help you" which no-one in a real VISA help desk would say.
I then asked politely if he could prove that he really was VISA and this was not a scam. He hung up after saying that if I "think it is a scam then he will not waste his time with me" (gosh, so genuine! HAHA)
(Note: some call centres have a script prepared to answer this question, so don't be fooled, IT'S ALWAYS A SCAM).
Final Note: Best option is to hang up immediately. Remember, IT'S ALWAYS A SCAM.
But if you are like me, and curious to check out which sort of scam it is this time (and tie up an operator for a while, reducing the number of people they'll scam that day) you should always be polite - you'll get further stilted responses trying to get your details or to log onto a website somewhere, and if you are careful not to reveal ANY of your true name or details, you can string them along with fake details for a while before they twig that you are baiting them!
It does no good to you and your blood pressure to abuse the operator, as they are usually working for $1/hour for nasty bosses in call centre sweatshops, and will either hang up straight away, or occasionally, lose their rag and abuse you back!
STAY SAFE EVERYONE!
Our next exhibition opening is this Sunday at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free, there is no need to book - drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Romuald Rudzki, the author of ‘Prealism and the First Prealist - a guide to the new way of painting' is holding an … View moreOur next exhibition opening is this Sunday at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free, there is no need to book - drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Romuald Rudzki, the author of ‘Prealism and the First Prealist - a guide to the new way of painting' is holding an exhibition alongside his father-in-law Cornelius Vickers. Here’s a bit more about their work:
This is Prealism – an exhibition by Dr Romuald Rudzki
Rom was taught by the English artist Chris Welsh between 1969-1976. He received the Financial Times’ David Thomas Award in 1996 and obtained his PhD in 1998.
Rom lives on a lifestyle block in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges in New Zealand with his wife Alison and a menagerie of domesticated and wild animals.
Rom’s paintings are in both the traditional figurative style as well as the Prealist method which requires kenosis (emptying of the artist’s will) in order to allow those elements of art that exist before (‘Pre’) the artist (such as type of paint, type of surface, gravity and temperature) to create new work through the medium of the artist.
A defining feature of Prealism is that no two people will see the same painting in the same way, as each person will view the painting based upon their own ‘vocabulary of experience’ which includes the ‘found images’ within the painting
Cornelius Vickers at 91
Cornelius (Con) Vickers is having his first solo exhibition at age 91. Born in 1930 in Seaton, Country Durham England, Con started painting at school during the war. At age 12 he won 1st prize for a painting of a spitfire titled ‘Plane over France’ which came with prize money of half a crown or two shillings and sixpence, a princely sum for a young boy.
His working life was as a bricklayer then as a building manager before accepting the offer of early retirement at age 60. He then took evening art classes and after the death of his beloved wife Sheila, emigrated to New Zealand to be with his daughter Alison, son-in-law Romuald and grandson Rob. Con now lives next door to them with a garden he cultivates and the canaries he breeds.
“My painting takes my mind off everything else,” says Con “it takes all your stress and worries away.”
His art works include local landmarks such as the windmills, as well as paintings of native birds, and some composite pictures of several scenes.
The exhibitions run until Tuesday the 6th of April.
Feilding and District Art Society
104 Manchester St, Feilding
Open weekdays: 10am - 4pm, Saturdays: 10am - 1pm
Find us on facebook: www.facebook.com...
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Refresh a retro coffee table without losing its character with a touch of colour and Resene Aquaclear.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you can refresh your old table.
Crossroads Early Childhood Centre are holding a Garage Sale on Saturday 20th March, 2021 at 220 Church St, Palmerston North starting at 8am until 11am.
Saturday 13 March, 8.30am. 4 Heatley Avenue, Hokowhitu. General household items, moving house.
Lovely spinning wheel, with booklet, five bobbins and a niddy noddy.
Constructed in beautiful rimu is a very nice wheel to spin with.
Owner got bad arthritis in hands so has given up. Must collect from Feilding.
Hi guys was wondering if anyone woulf have a fridge freezer they no longer need please cant afford one atm
Grab your whānau, friends and neighbours and join Neighbourhood Support Palmerston North for two Fundraiser Film Nights at Focal Point Cinema and Cafe.
Tickets are limited so get in touch today to save your seat.
Check out some recent before and after pictures - the smelly mould is completely gone, the curtains are now sanitary again (and A LOT better looking!)
Looking for an activity that you or your family can do together this winter?
Try Indoor Bowls
Russel Street club meets on Tuesday evenings and Russel Street School from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
Ring Rodger Scoones for more information. 3551791
Sadly this concert on Sunday 14 March has had to be cancelled.
The Coach House Museum is holding an 'Old Skills in Action' Day on Sunday, 18 April 2021 from 10am to 4pm. Demonstrations, entertainment, activities, games, stalls and food - action packed fun for the whole family.
You've got the best of both worlds here, a character home in a great location - 235 Park Road, Hokowhitu
This 1920's cottage is truly unique with two living areas that flow easily between one another.
Don't miss this opportunity to scoop up a property in the Hokowhitu location at a … View moreYou've got the best of both worlds here, a character home in a great location - 235 Park Road, Hokowhitu
This 1920's cottage is truly unique with two living areas that flow easily between one another.
Don't miss this opportunity to scoop up a property in the Hokowhitu location at a realistic price.
$ave with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpapers, decorating accessories and cleaning products!
Come in and see us and get all the advice you need for your projects. Whether you need help choosing colours, deciding which products to use, or what prep is … View more$ave with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpapers, decorating accessories and cleaning products!
Come in and see us and get all the advice you need for your projects. Whether you need help choosing colours, deciding which products to use, or what prep is required, Resene staff can help you every step of the way.
Resene products are designed and made in NZ and have been since Resene started in Wellington over 75 years ago.
Come in and get inspired to make the most of your home.
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