Scammers target Christchurch residents after quake | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

LAST UPDATED: September 7, 8am

International scammers may be taking advantage of quake-ravaged Cantabrians while they are in a distressed state of mind.

The warning comes as Christchurch and rural areas around Darfield, the epicentre of the quake, and ravaged Kaiapoi are on the international news stage.

One resident in Darfield received a call from someone claiming to be from the Department of Internal Affairs, claiming she was to be reimbursed overpaid bank fees.

The person asked for her cellphone number and other details.

However she contacted her bank and found that it was a scam, and she may have been targeted because people may not be thinking clearly following the quake and continuing after-shocks.

Internal Affairs have placed a warning on their website about the scam.

Said the department: Several people have called the Department after they were called and told Internal Affairs was holding bank fee money for them, and that it could be released by payment of a 'fee' or 'tax'.

Internal Affairs does not hold any bank fees for anyone, and has nothing to do with these callers. It does not ring people offering money for a fee.

Anyone who is suspicious of a call purporting to be from Internal Affairs can ask for the caller's name, and ring back on an Internal Affairs number published in the White Pages or on the Department's official website under 'General Enquiries' (Phone (04) 495 7200).