Heartless phishers prey on donation efforts after Christchurch terrorist attack

Unscrupulous scammers are targetting New Zealanders wanting to donate to the victims of the terrorist attack last week in Christchurch, banks in the country are warning.

Commonwealth Bank owned ASB is displaying a prominent banner alerting customers to a rash of phishing emails requesting contributions, and with links to fake internet banking websites.

State-owned Kiwibank is likewise advising customers of phishing attempts, and Westpac detailed on Facebook a scam email doing the rounds in New Zealand currently.

The phishing email uses Westpac branding, and purports to be a message about customers' Hot Points loyalty scheme earnings.

As is common practice with phishing scams, a link in the email takes those who click on it to a compromised site, and not to Westpac's.

The scammers are also soliciting donations in the email, using a non-Westpac bank account number. 

People receiving such emails are advised to forward them to phishing@westpac.co.nz and phishing@asb.co.nz or other banks' published scam reporting address.