Financial Markets Authority
Financial Markets Authority
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association is urging people to be vigilant as we head into the holiday season.
More about Tis the season to be careful
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association is urging people to be vigilant as we head into the holiday season.
“It’s that time of the year when people have a lot on their plate preparing for summer’s festivities. At this busy time it pays to be extra vigilant with your cards and be weary of phishing and other online scams,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association Chief Executive Kirk Hope.
“Fraudsters know we are often distracted at this time of year and will look for any opportunity to take advantage of people’s busy lives and increase in social activities.”
So whether you’re using an EFTPOS terminal to buy gifts, shopping online, or buying a round at your local pub, here are some tips on how to keep yourself safe this festive season:
- Guard your card. Treat it like cash. Don’t leave it lying around. Make sure you know where your card is at all times.
- Shop with trusted retailers. Before you provide personal information make sure they will protect that information
- 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’.
- Don’t reply to, click on any links, or open any files in spam emails or text messages.
- Check your statements. Advise your bank immediately of any unauthorised transactions.
“It’s important to remember that your bank will reimburse any losses if you’re the genuine victim of fraud. However, that promise doesn’t override your responsibility to protect access to your accounts.”
“Banks will be working hard this holiday season to protect you from financial crime. But we all have to play our part. By following these simple steps you too can help.” reminds Hope.
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association today welcomed Bell Gully as its latest affiliate member.
“We are very pleased to have Bell Gully, one of New Zealand’s oldest established law firms, join us as an affiliate member,” said New Zealand Bankers’ Association Chief Executive Kirk Hope.
“Their support demonstrates just how deeply embedded in New Zealand business Bell Gully is, particularly in the banking sector.”
Bell Gully partner David Craig said, “We are pleased to join as an affiliate member, and look forward to working with the NZBA as it continues its great work fostering a strong and stable banking system in New Zealand.”
“Over the years, Bell Gully has worked closely with the NZBA and its members, and we look forward to strengthening this relationship through formal affiliation.”
Established in 1891, the New Zealand Bankers’ Association provides a forum for members to work together on non-competitive industry issues. The Association now has 15 member banks and seven affiliate members.
NZBA recently introduced an affiliate membership category to allow the Association to formalise relationships it has with a range of complementary organisations involved with the New Zealand banking industry.
ENDS
Reserve Bank of New Zealand