Cruel scammers target Dannevirke residents

Phone scammers have been targeting Dannevirke residents claiming to be with the IRD.

The phone scammers who featured recently on Fair Go are now targeting Dannevirke residents.

"The scammers who say they're from Inland Revenue have been using bully, bully tactics against a friend of mine," Jean Franklin said. "She was freaking out and in a hell of a state and they phoned her not once, but over and over."

Jean said her friend has been left shaking and in tears.

"They used really aggressive tactics, but we've sorted things out now," she said.

"It's shocking, these people scare people into thinking they owe the IRD money and people need to be aware they're targeting Dannevirke people."

Jean said her friend had been reassured by "budget people" that she did not owe anyone any money, but she is concerned other residents may be taken in and frightened into complying with the demands.

Police advice for anyone who thinks they may be on the receiving end of one of these calls is to hang up immediately and to be aware banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland Revenue never email, call or text to ask for money to be sent using money transfer services. If you have been targeted by a scamgo to Consumer Protection's Scamwatch website: www.consumerprotection. govt.nz