The NZ Transport Agency is advising people to delete widely distributed ‘phishing scam’ emails which ask recipients to provide their driver licence details on counterfeit websites, and is offering to waive the fee for a replacement licence for anyone caught out by the scam.
Since the agency first issued warnings about the scam last week new versions of the original phishing email have appeared. The messages purport to be from the ‘NZTA Services Team’ or the ‘NZTA Account Review Department’ and ask people to provide their driver licence details on counterfeit websites.
“These emails are not from the NZTA. They are part of a phishing scam which leads people to counterfeit websites. If you receive one of these messages you should delete it immediately,” said NZTA spokesperson Andy Knackstedt.
The NZTA has advised the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Internal Affairs of these unauthorised emails, and both organisations have added them to their lists of scam alerts.
A separate email is also circulating which purports to be from the Inland Revenue Department, claiming the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate and asking people to provide details from their driver licence to verify their identity. This is also a scam, and the message should be deleted.
The NZTA urges anyone who has inadvertently provided their driver licence details on the counterfeit websites to phone our contact centre on 0800 822 422 and have their licence cancelled. This will ensure that the licence details will not be validated if someone attempts to use them for illegitimate purposes.
The Agency is offering to waive the normal fee of $38.20 and provide a replacement licence at no charge to anyone who has been caught up in the phishing scam.
The phishing emails have also asked people to provide credit card details on the false site, and the NZTA advises anyone who has done so to contact their bank immediately to cancel the card.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs advises anyone who suspects that they may have given away identity information to an illegitimate source to monitor their credit records. This can be done online at www.mycreditfile.co.nz(external link) or dnb.co.nz(external link).
The Ministry advises anyone who believes their identity information has been used for illegitimate purposes to contact police. Further information is available from the Ministry’s website at: www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scams/been-scammed/they-have-my-identity-information(external link).
