Helping Older New Zealanders Stay Safe from Scams

Did you know that, according to Consumer NZ, older New Zealanders are significantly more at risk of falling victim to scams?

A survey published in April 2025 revealed that 30% of people aged 60 and over have experienced a scam related to their bank account or financial services — compared to 19% of those aged 18 to 59. These figures highlight the growing need for awareness and education around online and phone-based fraud.

At Real Living, one of our key goals is to help residents feel safe, confident, and connected — both within their communities and online.

That’s why we’ve partnered with ANZ to help residents gain the tools and knowledge to recognise scams and protect themselves from potential risks.

On Thursday, 30 October, The Avenue Apartments at Remuera Gardens will host a special Online Safety Session with Kirstie Clune, Business Development and Initiatives Manager at ANZ.

Ahead of the event, Kirstie explains:

“Over-65s are disproportionately targeted by scammers, resulting in higher case numbers and greater financial losses within this age group. The top three scams we’re currently seeing are impersonation or cold call scams — such as card collection scams — remote access scams, and investment scams.”

At Real Living, we believe that working closely with trusted community partners and local organisations is essential to supporting our residents’ wellbeing. Collaborations like this one with ANZ — and others with groups such as Age Concern and local clubs — allow us to share expertise, raise awareness, and deliver initiatives that make a real difference in residents’ everyday lives.

Our Fraud &Scams session will start at 10 a.m. and will offer practical advice on how to stay safe online, including:

• ANZ’s fraud team will never ask for information the bank already holds, such as customer numbers, credit card details, or two-factor authentication codes.
• ANZ will never request remote access to your device.
• If you receive an unexpected phone call, voicemail, email, or text, never provide personal or banking information such as credit card numbers or security codes.
• If in doubt, hang up and call back using a publicly listed number to confirm whether the communication is genuine.

Our Fraud & Scam Session will be held at The Avenue Apartments, our latest addition to Remuera Gardens — 61 modern apartments featuring spacious, well-appointed interiors and enviable outlooks across Remuera. At the heart of this new complex is The Pavilion, a lively social hub where residents and guests come together for events and activities.

Just recently, on 18 October, we hosted a sold-out Q&A with iconic broadcaster Judy Bailey to celebrate Real Living’s 40th Anniversary — another example of how we bring people together through meaningful, community-driven experiences.

As a family-owned business, we place great emphasis on creating safe, vibrant, and connected communities, where residents can truly enjoy peace of mind — knowing they are supported, informed, and part of something special.

Find out more here: https://remueragardens.co.nz/