Current scams in New Zealand
How the scams hitting New Zealand phones and inboxes work right now, how to tell they're fake, and exactly what to do if you've been caught.
Lost money or shared details? Call your bank first, on the number on your card. Then see what to do in the first hour.
Scams
- How to spot an IRD tax refund scamInland Revenue won't text or email you a link to claim a refund or pay a debt, won't put your refund amount in an email, won't threaten arrest by...
- Toll, parking fine and QR code scamsUnpaid toll, fine and parcel texts with a payment link are a long-running scam in New Zealand, and fake QR codes stuck on parking meters are a newer...
- Bank impersonation and 'safe account' scamsIf someone claiming to be your bank asks you to read out a code, install an app, log in while they're on the line, or move money to a 'safe account',...
- Parcel delivery text scamsA text saying your parcel is held and asking you to click a link to pay a fee or confirm your address is almost always a scam. Check deliveries in the...
- Investment and romance scamsBe suspicious of any investment found through social media ads or messages, especially with celebrity endorsements, guaranteed returns or pressure to...
The one rule
Never act on contact you didn't start. If a message, call or email asks for money, a code, a password or access to your device, stop and contact the organisation yourself using its app, a website you type in, or the number on your card.
Forward scam texts to 7726. Report scams to Netsafe on 0508 638 723 and cyber incidents to the National Cyber Security Centre on 0800 114 115.
For the patterns behind every scam, read how scams work on New Zealanders.