Alexandra Police and the Alexandra BNZ are dealing with complaints about scammers almost on a daily basis. 

As a result, Grey Power Central Otago organised a public meeting on Tuesday, and invited experts to share insights and tips on how to stay clear of them.

Just before Christmas, a social media post claiming to be the Government and using a photo of the Prime Minister, informed all seniors and beneficiaries that they would be receiving a bonus payment on December 15.

Work and Income NZ and the Ministry of Social Development denied any knowledge of it, and quickly sent out a statement declaring it to be a scam.

Sergeant Darren Kidd told the meeting that identify theft was huge, “because in today’s society, and with AI, they can construct anything.”

Facebook marketplace is rife with scammers, and relationship scams are common too, according to Joanne Rae from the Alexandra BNZ, who said these have caught out a few locals recently.

“They have often lost a lot of money and are too embarrassed to come to us,” she said.

One Grey Power member received a call from the bank asking if she had been to England recently, because somebody had spent $4000 from her bank account on gaming subscriptions.

Sgt Kidd said at least two people a day drop into the police station with concerns, including after receiving text messages asking them to pay unpaid fines.

“If you get a text from NZ Police to pay a fine, don’t do it.”

Then there are the scam emails claiming to be from customs, asking people to pay more postage to release packages, the popular WhatsApp scam from 2022 claiming to be relatives overseas looking for money - unable to call because they’ve lost their phone.

Netsafe has a resource called ‘The Little Black Book of Scams’ that is useful for people to download. The BNZ also has a ‘Scam Savvy’ booklet that people can pick up from the bank.

Meanwhile, Grey Power Central Otago has invited the national president Gayle Chambers, to one of its next meetings in May, and are hoping to attract more members.

President Stan Randle said despite what people think, "you don’t have to be old to join, our guide is 50+ and it has nothing to do with grey hair, and all to do with grey matter.”

There are currently more than 250 members in Central Otago, and more information can be found on them here.