Does it sound too good to be true? It probably is π‘
Canterbury Police are reminding the community to be vigilant when it comes to rental scams. Unfortunately, this not a new scam and targets victims through different platforms.
In all instances, the scammers are posing as legitimate landlords or real estate agents. When looking for a rental, make sure an advertised property is legitimate by attending a viewing.
Before giving people money or making an agreement, it is essential you consider:
π Never transfer money to an individual or organisation that you can't verify as legitimate.
π A legitimate landlord or real estate agent will have a website, generally a physical address, and you should be able to speak to more than one person from that organisation.
π If you believe you are being currently targeted by a scam that sounds like this, please end contact immediately and get in touch with Police.
π Trust your instincts, if it sounds like a scam, it probably is.
π For further information of how to keep safe online, or to report suspected scams, please go to netsafe.org.nz...
π You can also find prevention advice at www.police.govt.nz...
Read more about these types of scams here - www.police.govt.nz......
β οΈ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. β οΈ
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
π The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50Β°C in less than 15 minutes.
π Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
π This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
π It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you β€οΈ
Would you like a free copy of our February 2025 issue?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
On the range
Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Find out how to create your own with Resene Sandtex and these easy step by step instructions.