American Interests
Links and contact information for various agencies and clubs that may be of interest to Americans in New Zealand.

IRS Warns of Tax Rebate Scams
WASHINGTON -- Even before Congress passes an economic stimulus package, identity thieves are using promises of tax rebates to trick people into revealing financial and personal data, the Internal Revenue Service warned Wednesday.

Under one scheme, the IRS said, people are receiving phone calls telling them they can only receive a rebate if they provide bank account information for a direct deposit.
The tax agency stressed that it does not collect information by telephone and that no legislation has been enacted that would allow it to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that specifies the details of those payments.

The House last week, as part of an economic stimulus package, approved tax rebates of $600 and $1,200 respectively for most individuals and couples, with another $300 per child. The Senate is now considering a slightly different version.

The IRS also repeated past warnings of e-mails, supposedly coming from the agency, where people are asked to enter personal information on a form needed to obtain a tax refund.

A new scam, it said, involves an e-mail notification that a person's tax return will be audited with instructions to click on links to complete forms with personal and account information.

Businesses and accountants are also getting e-mails with instructions to download information on tax law changes. Clicking on these links could download "malware" onto the recipient's computer that gives the scammer remote access to the computer hard drive.

In another telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who says the taxpayer has not cashed a refund check and asks the person to verify his or her bank account number.

On Tuesday, at a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing for Douglas Shulman, the nominee to be IRS commissioner, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed concern that taxpayers would be victimized by tax preparers and lenders who charge high interest rates for short-term advances on their stimulus rebates.

The IRS advised people not to click on any link from an e-mail purporting to come from the tax agency. People receiving questionable e-mails can contact the IRS through phishing@irs.gov.

United States Embassy - Wellington
(04) 462-6031

United States Consulate-General in Auckland Via Embassy Web Site
Level 3 Citibank Centre
23 Customs Street
East AkCen Private Bag 92022
Auckland
(09) 303-2724
Note from Consulate-General in Auckland: Starting 30-Jan-08, the office will be closed to the public on the last Wednesday of every month.

Department of State - Travel and Business

Department of State - Passport Information Web site

Embassy of the United States, Wellington, New Zealand - Passport Information

Notary Public Information - New Zealand

Reporting Births Abroad

Applying for Social Security for the first time Contact: We found we had to call The Social Security Administration in the Philipeans: 0063 2 301 2000 to get the ball rolling. They will send applications along with instructions.

OR

For general or specific inquiries, you can contact SSA via mail, telephone, fax, or email. Please indicate your complete name, Social Security Number, residence address, and contact details when you send your inquiry for the first time. Contact details are:

Mailing Address:
Mr. Darrin K. Morgan, Chief, SSAD
Social Security Administration Division
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Embassy
1131 Roxas Blvd. , Ermita
0930 Manila , Philippines

Telephone Number:
0063 2 301-2000 ext. 2621
Fax Number:
0063 2 522-1514
Email Address:
ssad.varo.manila@ssa.gov
Note: We were told the Embassy opens at 7:30am weekday mornings, non-holidays. To find the time in Manila go to World Time and Dates under Miscellaneous at Wilderness-Wally Table of Contents.

The American Women's Club of Auckland

The Wanganui Branch of the New Zealand/American Association is a non-profit, social organization. One of our functions is to assist Americans as they adjust to the New Zealand lifestyle and Kiwis to adjust to the American lifestyle. We have several social events each year, usually themed around an American holiday. However we also get together to celebrate and enjoy the New Zealand way of life. The NZAA meets socially on the 2nd Friday of every month at Rosie O'Grady's, (Cnr Guyton & St. Hill Streets, Wanganui) from 5:00pm onwards. Everyone is cordially invited to join us. Our contact is:
Donna Rush donnarush@clear.net.nz

The American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand
64-9-309-9140