A Cromwell man and his son are warning people to be wary of sending private information on WhatsApp after a scammer used the messaging platform in an attempt to get bank account details.
Jeffrey Richards, of Melbourne, said he and his Cromwell-based father (who declined to be named) often used the messaging app to send photos or brief messages to each other.
However, they are now wary about using the app.
Mr Richards said earlier this month, a photo of his father’s credit card came through with a brief message saying: "If it didn’t work, contact me in the morning".
"I immediately contacted him as I had not, nor never, requested any information pertaining to his banking or financial affairs.
"Somehow, someone had hacked into his WhatsApp on his phone and, under the guise of being me, requested his online banking details."
The message to his father said "I" had lost my phone and was using an old one, and I couldn’t access my accounts on this phone and needed his help.
"Strangely, the only message I saw at my end was the photo and brief message.
"However, my father did read out the original messages which were quite convincing."
While his father did not send his online banking information through, he did comply with the request to send through a photo of his credit card.
"My father is of very sound mind and confidently manages all of his own affairs, but given the time of night, his age and the nature of the messages, I think he was somewhat thrown, not to mention vulnerable."
Mr Richards said he was able to contact the bank immediately and put a stop on his father’s card.
"I had always thought that WhatsApp messages were encrypted and it was a safe platform to communicate on — obviously not."
After consulting a lawyer, both father and son felt it would be helpful to alert others to what appears to be a new scam.
A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said the WhatsApp scam was in wide circulation at the moment.
The scammers usually pretend to be loved ones in difficulty and in particular need of money. The scam now includes fraudsters impersonating banks, police or government agencies.
Police advised anyone in doubt as to a person's legitimacy, to ask if you can call them back; or if you know them well, ask them a personal question like their date of birth, maiden name, pet name or name of a sibling. — Additional reporting RNZ
