New Zealand - Don’t fall for DNA scam
The Commerce Commission is warning people not to fall for a scam that has been circulating in Australia and has now hit New Zealand. It involves a supposed DNA testing kit, which has been turning up unsolicited in mail boxes.
The Commerce Commission is warning people not to fall for a scam that has been circulating in Australia and has now hit New Zealand. It involves a supposed DNA testing kit, which has been turning up unsolicited in mail boxes.
The DNA testing kit is essentially a swab stick and a reply envelope. People are asked for a $39.99 processing fee and their credit card details.
The kit is from China, although the return address is in the Netherlands. The kit looks professional, but it is a scam. The letter accompanying the kit claims that, if you return a swab of your saliva the company, DNA Technologies will calculate and predict things about you such as your future success, physical and mental health, affluence, significant accomplishment and your “deepest sense of individual fulfilment”.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Commerce Commission Enforcement Manager, Auckland, Graham Gill. “They claim that through DNA testing they can reveal to you ‘unprecedented information’ on your health, diet, intellect, compatibility, and even how to live longer. DNA testing cannot determine these things.”
“We advise anyone who receives this kit through the mail to dispose of it. It is essentially an over-priced cotton bud,” said Mr Gill, “DNA in this case should mean ‘Do Not Answer’.”
Because of jurisdictional issues (the scam has originated off-shore) the Commission will not be investigating, but would like householders to be aware of the scam and not respond.
“We see scams in many different guises. This is one of the more novel scams we’ve seen lately. They pop up frequently and enforcement action is mostly futile. The best deterrent is for people to be aware of the warning signs of a scam and not fall for it,” said Mr Gill.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs website www.scamwatch.govt.nz is a useful place to go for information on identifying a scam or to report a scam.
This week is Scam Awareness Week, with a message to remind people to be on their guard for scammers’ constantly evolving tactics.
A photo of the DNA testing kit can be downloaded from the Commission’s website at www.comcom.govt.nz/product-photos
Background
In January 2011 the Department of Commerce in Western Australia sent out a media release advising people to beware of a DNA testing kit scam. This is the same kit as is now turning up in New Zealand.
The Department of Commerce in Western Australia sought scientific evidence about the kit and the claims made from the School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Western Australia. Associate Professor Richard Allcock said, “They make claims about health, diet, mood etc. And, whilst some of these may well be under genetic control, we certainly are nowhere near being able to provide that information back to individuals. They then make ridiculous claims about wellbeing and youth extension. All of these claims in the letter are patently false.”