REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - New Zealand banks on Friday said they would introduce new steps to counter scams targeted at its customers including establishing a national Anti-Scam centre, combining resources to combat money laundering and increasing public awareness. Roger Beaumont, chief executive of the New Zealand Banking Association, which represents all large banks based in New Zealand, said in a statement that the joint commitment by retail banks is expected to have a positive impact in tackling fraud and scams. In the second quarter of 2023 1,950 scams were reported with people losing NZ$4.2 million ($2.48 million), according to data from the New Zealand government’s Computer Emergency Response Team. Australia, where four of New Zealand’s largest retail banks are headquartered, is also introducing similar new measures. ($1 = 1.6915 New Zealand dollars)Reporting by Lucy Craymer Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

---

Persons: Thomas White, Roger Beaumont, Beaumont, Lucy Craymer, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, New Zealand Banking Association, NZ, Zealand, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia