Common scams

There are lots of ways people try to scam you out of your money. The scams might be online — through email, the internet and social media — or the scammers might come to your door or contact you by mail, phone or text.

Types of scams

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you think or know that you’ve been scammed, report it to your bank and to Netsafe’s website.

Report a scam — Netsafe

Freephone: 0508 638 723 (NZ only)

Netsafe will get back to you with advice and may also pass your report to another agency, such as the police or Consumer Protection.

You can report a cyber security issue through CERT NZ.

Report a cyber security issue — CERT NZ

Protect yourself from scams

Putting a few security measures in place can help to protect you from scammers.

Phone and computer — how to protect yourself

• Use different, hard to guess passwords, such as a mix of numbers, letters, upper and lower case.
• Put a PIN on your phone.
• Do not reply to unsolicited emails or texts, or click on links in them.
• Use security software on your computer and keep it up to date.
• Do not open spam emails — report them to complaint@spam.govt.nz and then delete them.
• Hang up on cold callers offering investment opportunities.

How to avoid scams — Consumer Protection

Scam tips — Netsafe

Providers of financial services — check if they’re registered

Check that people and businesses offering financial services:

• are registered on the Financial Service Providers Register
• have the correct licences.

Financial Service Providers Register — New Zealand Companies Office