Once again it was my pleasure to welcome you all along to our dinner meeting on the 14th of May.
Nice to have Meryl Monk along with Colin.
We say farewell to our Rotary Youth Exchange student Clem da Silva today after 10 months. It has been great getting to know Clem during his visits to the Rotary Club of Howick and for his help and support at Bookarama. The regular updates we have received from Clem have been positive and interesting.
Clem sends his best to everyone and thanks the Rotary Club of Howick for all the support and help he has been given. Clem also sends his thanks and acknowledges the support he received from his four homestays -including his first homestay, Gary and Helen Donoghue. Thanks, must also go to McLeans College for providing Clem a taste of NZ Education to improve his English.
Our guest speaker for the evening was Heather Kentsley. Heather is an investment Manager with Southern Cross Partners. [Loan and investments]
Heather was introduced to members by Geoff Thompson who has known Heather for many years as a neighbour and Howick resident.
Heathers presentation was focused on how to avoid investment scams.
Heather ran an overhead presentation that covered types of scams, current scams and red flags to look out for.
A current top scam is the Boiler Room Scheme. These are large scale operations designed to lure in as many investors to a fake investment as possible, often using high-pressure sales tactics.
Boiler room scheme operators may cold call investors or solicit investors through emails, text messages, social media, and other means.
Another is Recovery scams, which are a form of advance-fee fraud. This is when you are asked to pay up front for the chance of getting a much bigger sum of money later.
Recovery frauds target victims already harmed by other frauds.
Recovery Fraud and general Fraud warning signs -
You are asked for an email address or phone number before seeing fee disclosures or a detailed list of services. The physical address is not on the web site or is outside of NZ.
You are asked to give bank account details. The organization is using a web-based email address. There are grammar and spelling errors.
Never give personal, payment or account information over the phone or by email, even providing an email and phone number could open the flood gates to more fraudulent solicitations.
Imposter Web sites are among us. The danger that fake, spoofed and scam websites present is an increasing concern for both consumers and advertisers.
There are many Red Flags for most scams and the old saying. If it looks too good to be true, It most likely is.
What to do if you've been scammed or think you have been scammed.
1] Stop all contact with the scammer.
2] Do-not make any more payments.
3] Contact the bank or service you sent the money through.
Refer to the handout that Heather gave you all. Where to report Spam and Scams.
There were several questions from the floor, and a lot general discussion.
Geoff Thompson thanked Heather for a very informative presentation. All club members showed their appreciation in the normal manner.
Rotary business then took place-
Steve Lines the Sergeant once again entertained us with some lighthearted puns and fined members for misdemeanours, birthdays and anniversaries
Congratulations to the raffle winners.
New World vouchers: - Alison Kearney/ John Savory
Have a go raffle: - John Sanders/ Mike Abercrombie
Our current fund raisers are-
Blankets for Kids For Winter and following this is Bookarama for Kids and Teens .
Don t forget your donations!
Many thanks to you all for making it such an enjoyable evening. Thanks to Glenice, Carole and Pat for setting up the venue and tiding up after.
Next meeting is set down for the 28th of May. The guest speaker is. Angela Calver, CEO of Kiwiharvest.
Kind Regards.
Stay well and Safe.
Malcolm J Pascoe.
