Chocolate maker target of scam

Whittaker’s has warned customers to be wary of a new scam doing the rounds on Facebook.

The scam invites Facebook users to become taste testers for the chocolatier and offers sixpacks of Whittaker’s artisan range in exchange for personal information.

Whittaker’s said it was looking at its legal options against the scammers.

This scam has come just days after Air New Zealand urged customers on Facebook to avoid a scheme that offers the chance to win free flight tickets.

‘‘This message is not from Air New Zealand and we advise anyone who receives this not to engage,’’ the airline said.

Last week an Auckland woman was scammed out of nearly $5000 on Airbnb.

Consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow has provided some intriguing insights into our vulnerability when it comes to scams.

‘‘Anyone with a heart, with a family, or with common desires or insecurities can be victimised by the sophisticated mind games used by today’s fraudsters,’’ she wrote in an article published by Time.

People paid attention to information that supported their beliefs and ignored what didn’t, particularly in stressful situations. Those who were lonely or eager to make a quick buck were highly likely to fall for online dating frauds and financial scams.

‘‘When people feel like something they desire deeply is impossible to possess through their own efforts, they are especially susceptible to believe that destiny or some magic stroke of luck will come to the rescue,’’ Yarrow said.