- Beware of fake emails and text messages
We know from previous lockdowns that there is usually an increase in phishing scams during lockdowns. I have started receiving notification of fake emails being sent in the names of of Father Aleki.
This email is to remind you to check emails that you aren’t expecting carefully and if in doubt and if the email looks genuine my suggestion is that you phone the sender and check if the email is legitimate.
Always look at the email actual address by clicking on the "From". It might look legitimate as it says it is from Maria Assumpta Parish or Father Aleki however YOU MUST check that it is actually from the Church by looking at the actual email address.
See example below:
- Click on the "From" in the email in this case "Maria Assumpta Parish" and then you can see that it is a legitimate email address OR NOT.
If the email is fake please permanently delete the email.
I’ve also had a couple of fake text messages which go something like this: “Gday, your parcel was delivered yesterday to the drop-off place. Confirm your pick-up here:” and then there is a dodgy link. Don’t click on the link!
For those who have time for some extra reading check out this Scam Savvy site which has been put together to help New Zealanders feel safer online.
Phishing/spam email campaigns
Recently, we have identified a rapid increase in phishing/spam email campaigns, enticing users to reply, click a link or open an attachment. We are seeing threat actors using various techniques to steal sensitive information (financial details, password, identity, money) or infect your device with malware to launch a further attack.
Our top tips are:
- Be vigilant: Please be very vigilant when you receive an email that has links it. Even if the email is from somebody you know if the email is unexpected, please check the address it has come from, and if in doubt phone the person who has sent it to you to verify that they did actually send it. Often what happens is that spammers will be clever so for example they might use an email address that is very close to a valid address eg marc@cda.co.nz (where our usual Diocesan address is marc@cda.org.nz).
- When you do receive an email that is spam:
- Do not click on any links in the email message
- Do not forward the email to other people
- If you have an external IT provider follow their directions (eg they may have a system for quarantining phishing emails). If you do not have an external IT provider and you believe the email is spam then from your Inbox Shift+Delete the email message – this deletes it permanently.
Below is some standard information about how to protect yourself against PHISHING campaigns:
Fraudsters will often create an authentic-looking email pretending to be from a genuine company or even someone you know. Below are tips to look for and stay protected:
Don’t
- Don’t open attachments or click email links that look suspicious.
- Don’t respond to unsolicited emails that ask for personal or organisational information.
- Don’t provide user names or passwords or any other personal information.
Do’s
- Do check the sender's email address for misspelling and variations.
- Do navigate directly to the organisation’s website by typing in the web address, rather than clicking on an email link.
- Be suspicious of emails that you aren’t expecting, don’t address you by name, have misspellings, or don’t look professional.