Drivers' licence scam continues

28 October 2010

The Department of Internal Affairs’ Anti-spam Compliance Unit has renewed its warning about a phishing email spam campaign, involving false emails made to appear as if they are from the NZ Transport Agency, that it is investigating.

Phoney emails have continued to circulate since the NZTA reported the phishing campaign to the Department last week and published on the anti-spam "Reported Scams" webpage:
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Anti-Spam-Reported-Scams?OpenDocument

The spam phishing email directs recipients to a website landing page that tells them they need a new driver’s licence and requests a change of personal details.

Senior investigator Toni Demetriou says at the very least, personal information will be obtained if the form is completed. But the real threat is the credit card and security code details scammers obtain when recipients pay the small transaction charge of $2.00 requested for changing the details.

“In an attempt to further authenticate the phishing scam, the payment processing page also has an ASB bank CardPay logo,” Mr Demetriou added.

The NZTA urged anyone who inadvertently provided their driver licence details on the counterfeit website to phone its contact centre on 0800 822 422 and have their licence cancelled.

Media contact:
Trevor Henry, communications adviser, Department of Internal Affairs
Ph 04 495 7211; cell 0275 843 679