Financial Markets Authority

The New Zealand Bankers’ Association today welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report Preparing New Zealand for rising seas: Certainty and Uncertainty.

“I commend Dr Wright in her collaborative approach to this serious issue,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association Chief Executive Kirk Hope.

“We look forward to having a role to play should the Government accept the Commissioner’s recommendation to establish a Working Group to assess and prepare for the economic and fiscal implications of sea level rise.”

“Rising sea levels are an important issue confronting many New Zealand communities, and the issue deserves a collaborative and engaged response.” said Mr Hope.

ENDS

For further information please contact Richard Bicknell on 04 802 3350 or 027 342 2536.

The New Zealand Bankers’ Association today encouraged people to be increasingly vigilant of banking scams as part of Fraud Awareness Week 2015.

The New Zealand Bankers’ Association today encouraged people to be increasingly vigilant of banking scams as part of Fraud Awareness Week 2015.

“As more and more Kiwis are using multiple mobile devices, scammers too are adapting to trick people into handing over personal information,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope.

“The theme of this year’s Fraud Awareness week is small business and small businesses need to be particularly vigilant when migrating to mobile solutions.”

“Everyone has a role to play in fighting fraud and reporting scams.“

“Only ever use your bank’s official application downloaded from trusted sources such as iTunes or Google Play. If you are accessing your bank’s website make sure it is via a secure connection.”

“If you are ever in any doubt contact your bank.”

Reporting scams raises public awareness and helps stop scammers in their tracks. Contact your bank as soon as possible if you think you’ve been taken in by a scam.

Safety tips to help protect yourself against online banking and shopping scams include:

• Logon to internet banking by typing in your bank’s full web address. Do not use links that appear to take you to your bank’s website.
• Check you have a secure connection, which is shown by a padlock symbol somewhere on the page, and that the website address starts with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.
• Avoid public computers and public Wi-Fi for internet banking, e.g. internet cafes, libraries or hotels.
• Protect your identity information and only provide it to trusted people and organisations. This includes your date of birth, address, driver’s licence number and passport details.
• Shop with trusted retailers. Before you provide personal information make sure they will protect that information.
• Keep your anti-virus and firewall software up to date.
• If you suspect you’ve been taken in by a scam, contact your bank immediately.

If you use your mobile devices for banking:

• Only download apps from trusted sources
• Keep device operating systems up to date, and update apps when prompted
• Use your phone’s password lock feature
• Shield your passwords from people around you
• Change your passwords periodically, and make sure they are not easily guessable
• If available, use anti-virus software
• Contact your bank immediately if you lose your phone or it is stolen.

ENDS

For further information please contact Richard Bicknell on 04 802 3350 or 027 342 2536.