Prevention advice from police...
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iTunes Gift Card Scams
Be aware of scams involving iTunes Gift Cards.
A string of scams are taking place asking people to make payments over the phone for things such as taxes, hospital bills, bail money, debt collection, and utility bills. The scams are committed using many methods, including gift cards. As the fraudsters are sometimes using iTunes Gift Cards, we want to make sure our customers are aware of these scams.
Regardless of the reason for payment, the scam follows a certain formula: The victim receives a call instilling panic and urgency to make a payment by purchasing iTunes Gift Cards from the nearest retailer (convenience store, electronics retailer, etc.). After the cards have been purchased, the victim is asked to pay by sharing the 16-digit code on the back of the card with the caller over the phone.
It's important to know that iTunes Gift Cards can be used ONLY to purchase goods and services on the iTunes Store, App Store, iBook’s Store, or for an Apple Music membership. If you're approached to use the cards for payment outside of the iTunes Store, App Store, iBook’s Store, or Apple Music, you could very likely be the target of a scam and should immediately report it to your local authorities (police department, trade commission, etc.).
Please do not ever provide the numbers on the back of the card to someone you do not know. Once those numbers are provided to the scammers, the funds on the card will likely be spent before you are able to contact Apple or law enforcement.
Tips to avoid becoming the victim of a scam
· If you are NOT purchasing an item from the iTunes Store, App Store, iBook’s Store, or an Apple Music membership, do NOT make a payment with iTunes Gift Cards. There's no other instance in which you'll be asked to make a payment with an iTunes Gift Card.
· Do not provide the numbers on the back of the card to someone you do not know.
· If you have elderly Parents/Grandparents please advise them of this scam, this scam is active in New Plymouth at the moment and the older generation are being targeted by scammers
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Take a look...
Dishonesty Offending in New Plymouth area (last 7 days)
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Listed below is a summary of residential crime occurrences in North Taranaki for the week 22nd – 28th September 2017:
New Plymouth Central
Lemon St
Date & Time: Between 22.09.17 23:00 and 23.09.17 09:00
Suspicious Behaviour – Offensive message left on flag outside house.
Standish St
Date & Time: Between 23.09.17 20:30 and 24.09.17 11:00
Wilful Damage – Vehicle parked on roadside had front passengers door kicked in.
Dawson St
Date & Time: Between 23.09.17 15:00 and 24.09.17 06:00
Interference with Cars – Locked vehicle had driver’s door lock damaged.
Westown
Tukapa St
Date & Time: 23.09.17 between 23:00 and 23:30
Wilful Damage – Broken windscreen on vehicle – possibly jumped on.
Tukapa St
Date & Time: 28.09.17 at 01:15
Burglary – Intoxicated person entered shed on property. The security lights turned on and they ran off.
Wrantage St
Date & Time: 28.09.17 at 01:10
Burglary – Intoxicated person walked down long driveway and gained entry to unlocked vehicle. He opened car boot, entered car and search glovebox and removed glasses, key, car charger and business cards.
Wrantage St
Date & Time: 28.09.17 at 01:05
Burglary – Intoxicated person entered onto property and gained access to unlocked vehicle parked in carport. He searched glovebox and took an AA card and left the address.
Waitara
Parris St
Date & Time: 28.09.17 between 13:00 and 13:30
Burglary – Female entered house and called out to resident who was out the back gardening. She asked him for $10 for petrol and he gave her money and she left. He then realised later in the day that his wallet was missing from bedroom.
Seymour St
Date & Time: Between 27.09.17 19:00 and 28.09.17 07:00
Burglary – Padlock on car shed side door cut off and property stolen – tool box containing green/teal Ryobi 4” disk grinder, old silver ‘zone’ stereo, red/black battery charged.
Elliott St
Date & Time: Between 25.09.17 18:00 and 26.09.17 08:00
Burglary – Small BBQ taken from outside table.
Inglewood
Brookes St
Date & Time: 29.09.17 between 08:30 and 15:45
Burglary – Glass panel on front door kicked in, nothing taken from house.
Blagdon
Wiremu Pl
Date & Time: Between 26.09.17 18:00 and 27.09.17 06:30
Burglary – Offender has put vehicle (Toyota Prado) up on blocks and stolen all four wheels and two pares off back of vehicle.
South Rd
Date & Time: Between 23.09.17 23:30 and 24.09.17 12:00
Burglary – Wheelie bin taken from property. Located up the road.
Whalers Gate
Keats Place
Date & Time: 26.09.17 between 00:01 and 06:00
Burglary – Two vehicles parked in driveway broken into overnight. Offender/s attempted to steal vehicle one, which was left unlocked and the ignition was damaged. Stolen was a Navman GPS, gear knob, 2x folders of CD’s, Breakdown Mechanic tool box, Repco side cutters, Repco screwdrivers, King Tony spanners, Sidchrome and Repco spanners, Tenage Tools and other miscellaneous tools. Glove box also searched and coins taken.
Other vehicle (also unlocked) had battery terminals cut and battery stolen. Money stolen from ashtray and child’s bag searched.
Vogeltown
Drake St
Date & Time: 25.09.17 between 16:45 and 21:30
Burglary – Unknown person/s entered house and have turned on computer. Offender/s have opened bedroom window from inside, nothing appears to have been taken.
Marfell
Grenville St
Date & Time: Between 23.09.17 20:00 and 24.09.17 20:00
Burglary – Kids electric 4 wheel bike stolen from shed on property.
Omata Rd
Date & Time: Between 22.09.17 19:45 and 23.09.17 07:45
Unlawful Take – Mazda Atenza stolen from roadside.
Bell Block
Kingsford St
Date & Time: 23.09.17 between 06:00 and 10:00
Attempted Burglary – Attempted break in via two ranch sliders, no entry gained to house.
Highlands Park
Branch Rd
Date & Time: 23.09.17 between 01:00 and 12:30
Attempted Burglary – Front door of house damaged in attempt to break in.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY HELP POLICE WITH ANY OF THESE INCIDENTS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL YOUR NEAREST POLICE STATION (see http://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us/stations) OR CONTACT CRIMESTOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY ON 0800 555 111. THANK YOU.
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