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Scam Alerts

New Zealand Scam Alerts — Updated Regularly

Scammers are always inventing new tricks to target older New Zealanders. We post clear, plain-English warnings here so you always know what to watch out for. No login needed — share these with your friends and family.

For Your Awareness19 August 2026

Scammers Are Now Hiding in WhatsApp — Here's What to Watch For

For years, the most common scams in New Zealand arrived by text message — fake courier fees, IRD warnings, NZTA toll notices. The good news is that banks, phone companies, and the government have been working together to block many of these, and it's actually working. Scam texts have all but dried up since 40 telcos, banks, companies, and government agencies joined forces as the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance to fight scams collectively. The bad news: the scammers haven't given up. They've simply moved somewhere new. Where they're moving: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other apps your family and friends use every day. Examples include compromised WhatsApp accounts where users were tricked into approving an attacker's browser as a linked device — meaning the scammer gains access to your WhatsApp and can message your real contacts pretending to be you. Air New Zealand A scam doing the rounds right now: someone messages you on WhatsApp claiming to be a family member in trouble — a new number because their phone was lost or broken, an urgent request for money, please don't tell anyone yet. The scam targets families where the scammer poses as their child and describes them as vulnerable, sending the message from a new number they purchased or borrowed. What else to watch for on social media: Scammers are placing ads on social media platforms that usually include provocative fake images or videos of high-profile New Zealanders, appearing to be published by legitimate news outlets. These fake news stories are used to promote fraudulent investment schemes — and they're increasingly using AI to make them look convincing. The golden rules for messaging apps: If a family member messages you from a new number asking for money — call their original number first before doing anything else If a WhatsApp message asks you to tap a link or approve anything — don't, even if it looks like it came from someone you know If an ad on Facebook or YouTube shows a celebrity or news anchor endorsing an investment — it's almost certainly fake When in doubt — ask Helen. Describe what you received and she'll tell you what she thinks

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Be Careful12 August 2026

Scammers Are Faking Your Bank's Phone Number — Don't Be Fooled

A new scam is actively targeting New Zealanders right now, and it's particularly convincing because the caller appears to be ringing from your actual bank's real phone number. ANZ has confirmed that scammers are making cold calls to customers while making their number appear to be a genuine ANZ contact number — in some cases matching numbers listed on ANZ's official website. Callers may even encourage you to search the number online to convince you the call is legitimate. The critical thing to understand: the number on your screen can be faked. Just because it matches your bank's real number doesn't mean the call is really from them. What these scammers are after: They may have access to some of your personal details, and often create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into acting quickly. They'll typically ask for your Internet Banking login details, your card details, two-factor authentication codes, or try to convince you to transfer money to a "safe" account, buy gift cards, or allow remote access to your device. Your bank will never ask for any of these things. Not by phone, not by text, not by email — ever. What to do if you get one of these calls: Don't give them anything — no passwords, no codes, no card numbers Hang up, even if they sound completely genuine Call your bank back yourself using the number on the back of your card or on their official website — never the number the caller gives you If you're an ANZ customer, ask any caller claiming to be from ANZ to verify themselves using ANZ Caller Check through your goMoney app — a genuine ANZ staff member can do this, a scammer cannot Not sure if a call was real? Just describe it to Helen — she can help you work out whether it sounds like a genuine call or a scam, and tell you what to do next. Source: ANZ New Zealand, August 2026

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Be Careful8 August 2026

I'm Calling From the Police…

A dangerous new scam is targeting New Zealanders right now, with criminals pretending to be NZ Police. They may tell you that your identity has been connected to a crime, or that your bank account or cryptocurrency is at risk. They may even appear to be calling from a genuine Police phone number — but don't trust the number on your screen. It can be faked. NZ Police will never ask you for: Your banking PIN or password Cryptocurrency seed phrases or wallet details Security codes sent to your phone If someone calls claiming to be Police and you're unsure: Hang up Don't give them any information Don't click anything they send you Talk to someone you trust If you need to check whether the call was genuine, contact Police yourself through 105 Remember: a genuine organisation will never mind you hanging up and calling them back yourself. That's the simplest rule to remember, and it works for almost every scam call — Police, banks, IRD, couriers, anyone. Got a suspicious call, text, or email? Just tell Helen what happened, or paste the message to her — she'll help you work out if it's genuine.

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High Risk26 July 2026

Fake IRD Text Messages — Don't Click That Link

New Zealanders are currently receiving convincing text messages claiming to be from Inland Revenue (IRD). The messages tell you that you are owed a tax refund — often between $200 and $800 — and that you need to click a link and enter your bank account details to receive the payment. The text looks genuine. It may show "IRD" as the sender name and use official-looking language. The website the link takes you to may even look like the real IRD website. It is not. It is a scam designed to steal your banking details. Warning signs to watch for: An unexpected text message about a tax refund you weren't expecting A link asking you to enter your bank account or credit card details Urgency — the message says the refund will expire or be cancelled if you don't act quickly The web address looks slightly different from the real IRD site — ird.govt.nz You are asked for more personal information than just bank details — date of birth, IRD number, password What to do: Do not click the link Do not enter any personal or banking details Delete the message If you think you may actually be owed a refund from IRD, log into myIR directly by typing ird.govt.nz into your browser yourself — never through a link in a text message Report the scam text to Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz or call 0508 638 723 If you have already clicked the link and entered details, call your bank immediately The real IRD will never text you asking for your bank account details or ask you to click a link to receive a refund. Genuine refunds are processed automatically into the account IRD already has on file. You were right to be cautious. Always type government website addresses yourself rather than clicking links in text messages.

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