The Ministry of Justice has warned the scammers who in the guise of ministry staff are offering refunds on fines to elicit personal and financial information from people.

Prema Waghorn, Ministry of Justice National Operations Manager, is cautioning people to be aware from such people who ask about their personal details. The warning to the scammers is co-incidental with National Identity Fraud Awareness Week (NIDFAW) that would last till Friday.

Ms. Waghorn told NZPA, "Several of the callers appear to be quite convincing, and in some cases have known the full names of the people and who they bank with".

Till now, the scammers have approached eight people and the ministry is requesting people to call at 0800 770 025 or contact the police, if they receive any doubtful phone call.

People are receiving calls from unknown persons who present themselves as talking on behalf of the bank or a staff member from the Ministry. The Ministry is unable to find that from where the callers have got the information about general masses.

Ms. Waghorn expressed that they never employed any outside agency to make calls on behalf of them and never did they charged a fee to make refunds.

The Ministry is keeping a constant touch with the eight people to monitor the situation.