Latest news with #MargaretMiller
RNZ News
29-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Multi-tasking while responding to texts, emails ups the risk of being scammed
A BNZ survey shows nearly a quarter of people clicked through to a "great deal" without checking if the link was legitimate. Photo: 123RF Multi-tasking while responding to texts, emails or other notifications increases the risk of being scammed. A survey by BNZ indicates New Zealanders were responding to notifications in a variety of awkward and distracting locations, from the bathroom to the boardroom. The nationwide study found most New Zealanders had responded to an email, text or notification while doing something else, with a third responding in the bathroom, 41 percent in the middle of a face-to-face conversation, and 28 percent while in a meeting or webinar. "And when we're rushed or distracted like this, we make mistakes," BNZ head of fraud operations Margaret Miller said. Nearly a quarter clicked through to a "great deal" without checking if the link was legitimate, while one-in-five hit a text link before reading the message. "Scammers prey on the fact that when we're rushed, distracted, or juggling multiple things we're more likely to click first and think later," Miller said. Still, 78 percent recognised the risk they were taking when distracted, rushed, multi-tasking, stressed or on autopilot. While 61 percent spotted a scam in the past year and avoided it, 12 percent were not as lucky. BNZ head of design Donal Devlin said it was developing strategic design features that work with how people behave. "While we all expect seamless digital experiences, we've learned that introducing small elements of friction at critical moments helps with focus and ultimately, keeps customers and their money safer," Devlin said. "In practice, this means things like swapping button locations, adding brief pause notifications, or showing "pause and think" alerts to help customers stay focused when making higher risk transactions or actions in their accounts. "It's about finding the right balance between convenience and security - adding just enough of a moment to think when the stakes are highest." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
29-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
The Awkward Places NZers Admit To Using Their Devices – And Why Scammers Love It
From the bathroom to the boardroom, New Zealanders are responding to notifications and messages in some pretty awkward places - and it reveals just how distracted and hurried we've become, a new survey from BNZ shows. The nationwide study found that most New Zealanders have responded to an email, text or notification while doing something else, with 35% admitting they've done so in the bathroom, 41% in the middle of a face-to-face conversation, and 28% while in a meeting or webinar. 'And when we're rushed or distracted like this, we make mistakes,' says BNZ Head of Fraud Operations, Margaret Miller. Nearly a quarter (24%) confess to clicking through to a 'great deal' without checking if the link was legitimate, while 19% have hit a link in a text before reading it properly. 'Scammers prey on the fact that when we're rushed, distracted, or juggling multiple things we're more likely to click first and think later,' Miller says. The study found that New Zealanders are generally aware of when they're most vulnerable, with 78% recognising that being distracted, rushed, multitasking, stressed or on autopilot makes them more likely to be scammed or make a mistake with online banking. Yet scammers are still succeeding. According to the survey, while 61% of Kiwis spotted a scam in the past year and avoided it, 12% weren't so lucky. Strategic design to slow scams down While individual vigilance remains the best defence and the banking sector continues to invest tens of millions in security each year, BNZ is also exploring a different approach through strategic design features that work with how people actually behave. 'While we all expect seamless digital experiences, we've learned that introducing small elements of friction at critical moments helps with focus and ultimately, keeps customers and their money safer,' says BNZ Head of Design, Donal Devlin. 'In practice, this means things like swapping button locations, adding brief pause notifications, or showing 'pause and think' alerts to help customers stay focused when making higher risk transactions or actions in their accounts. 'It's about finding the right balance between convenience and security – adding just enough of a moment to think when the stakes are highest." BNZ is also strengthening security in other ways, including being one of only two major banks to offer app-based authentication rather than text messages, which can be intercepted by scammers. The bank has also introduced online banking lock, which gives customers the ability to quickly disable all online banking activity and lock access to their online banking if they suspect a scammer has gained access to their accounts. It's all about working with human nature, not against it, Miller says. 'We know people are busy, we know they multi-task, and we know they sometimes rush. 'So, while customers should remain vigilant, we're also designing smart security features that give you a moment to double-check when it matters most.' Tips for improving your digital safety and security Pause before clicking - especially if you're doing something else at the same time Never click on links or attachments sent by someone you don't know or that seem out of character for someone you do know Keep your computer and phone security software up to date Contact your bank immediately if you think you've been scammed Red flags to watch for - BNZ will never: Email or text you links to online banking and ask you to log in Send you a text message with a link to a website, or link to call us Ask you for your PIN number or password Ask you to share the authentication codes sent to you by text or email, even with a BNZ staff member Ask you to transfer money to help catch a scammer or a bank employee who is scamming customers Send you a text message about account issues with a link to log in Ask you to download software to access your Internet Banking remotely Use international phone numbers to call or send you notifications The BNZ Safe and Secure Survey was conducted by Insights HQ in May 2025, with sample sizes ranging from n=235 to n=478 depending on the question. Overall survey results were weighted to be nationally representative by age (15+ years), gender, and region based on Census 2020.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Scottish university returns rare Tasmanian shell necklace
A rare Tasmanian shell necklace that was donated to a Scottish university in the 19th century is returning to its homeland, 30 years after the first request for its repatriation. The 148cm-long necklace is believed to have been made by Aboriginal women on the Bass Strait islands, located between Tasmania and mainland Australia. It features elenchus or maireener shells found off the coast of Tasmania, and comes from a tradition of Tasmanian necklace-making that has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years. The necklace is recorded as having been donated to The Hunterian museum at the University of Glasgow by Mrs Margaret Miller of Launceston during a visit to Scotland in 1877. It is one of a number of necklaces to reach European museums during this period, at least 16 of which still remain in UK collections. During the 19th century, shell necklaces were attractive to collectors as cultural and aesthetic 'first contact' items, and the sale of necklaces became one of the few commercial enterprises available to Aboriginal people on the Bass Strait islands. Tuesday's handover ceremony comes 30 years after the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) first requested the item's return. The university refused the initial request in 1995, and then turned down a second request in 2002, saying there was 'no evidence that the acquisition of the Bass Straits necklace was unethical in any way'. However it subsequently agreed to return the necklace, something welcomed by Andry Sculthorpe, a delegate and project manager at the TAC. 'The Hunterian has graciously and with goodwill accepted our claim to our important cultural items,' he said. 'The situation for Tasmanian Aboriginal people since invasion has meant that every cultural piece made by our ancestors is precious and rare and maintains our connection with our culture and identity.' Early examples of shell necklaces are rare and considered a learning resource for present-day makers, and as significant heritage items with links to the past. Jeanette James, an Elder and shell necklace stringer in her community, explained: 'The physical presence of original objects is critical in projects aimed at recovering traditional knowledge to continue practices and rebuild and extend traditional skills.' The sourcing, collecting and stringing of shells is a closely-guarded tradition, passed down through generations of women makers associated with the Bass Strait islands. The intricate and painstaking practice is now acknowledged as a highly skilled and unique Aboriginal art form, though today there are concerns the practice could die out due to a decline in the number of shells due to climate change. Hunterian director Professor Steph Scholten said the decision to repatriate 'set a new precedent'. 'I am glad that we can set a new precedent today: that the University of Glasgow and The Hunterian, amongst a growing number of museums, are open to discussing and acting on repatriation claims,' he said. 'We have come to understand the urgent need for museums in Europe and beyond to address their pasts in equitable ways with originating and diasporic communities.' The repatriation comes alongside the announcement that the remains of an Aboriginal Tasmanian man will be returned by the University of Aberdeen this week.
