Auckland Council issues scam alert

Auckland Council is warning the public to be aware of phone call scammers claiming to work for the council.

In a new scam a caller claimed there was a recent requirement for insulation and heat pumps within existing homes and asked to organise an appointment to inspect the property.

But this isn’t true, said the council. In a press release, the general manager of building control, Ian McCormick, said: “Auckland Council does not require existing properties to have insulation and heat pumps installed.”

The scammers ask questions about whether or not the occupants have these installed, and how long they have lived in their home.

A council spokesperson, Sam Baxter, said that although the council’s title had been used in scams in the past, this was the first they had heard of this particular one.

Age Concern’s national advisor for Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, Louise Collins, said scammers pursue the elderly because they’re a “soft target”.

Ms Collins said the elderly were more trusting, may not be completely mentally competent and were often hard of hearing.

“All of these things make them just prime targets for scammers,” Ms Collins said.

Ms Collins said families also need to keep an eye on what’s happening with their older relatives to prevent them being scammed.

Mr Baxter said the council contacted the police, though there had only been one complaint so far.

A police spokesperson said there were often phone calls informing them of potential scammers.

The spokesperson said scammers of this nature are taken note of and then passed to Scamwatch for their records.

The Auckland Council requested that anyone concerned, or suspicious of anyone, to ask for identification or contact the council on 09 301 0101 to check.