If you get a phone call, email or text from an IRD officer claiming to be Kenneth Mathew telling you that the IRD is going to take legal action against you for unpaid tax, then it is highly likely to be a scam. IRD won't contact you in this manner and the phone number they give you to call back on is unlikely to be the IRDs. 

This scam has been operating in Australia for the last two years and has managed to jump the ditch. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in NZ is aware of it going around at the moment. From what we are hearing, the scammers seem to know a bit more than they should about their target, so the caller sounds very plausible. 

The smart thing to do is not to give credit card or bank details and not to respond to any emails or texts. If you are on the phone, say that you will follow this up with your Accountant and don't call them back on the number they give you. Call us, we can soon tell you what is and isn't right.

PKF Poutsma Lemon Limited

Alison Lemon, Director