Hackers, phishers targeting Kiwis
Thousands of taxpayers have been targeted by international scammers as criminal syndicates take advantage of ever-advancing computer technology.
Cyber attacks have been identified as one of the key threats from organised crime in New Zealand and around the globe.
Bank accounts, credit cards, home addresses, medical records, IRD numbers, drivers' licences, birthdates even state secrets - all are at risk in the online age where they can be stolen through a computer on the other side of the world. Security experts say it is impossible to know how many cyber attacks occur in New Zealand. But figures released by the Inland Revenue Department show that more than 5000 "phishing" attempts have been reported since the first in September 2010.
