Active threat
Country hub
New Zealand scam alerts
Kiwis reported NZ$200M+ in scam losses in 2024 per CERT NZ data, with investment fraud leading. Below is the live GACS feed of NZ-targeted cases and the CERT NZ / Netsafe / FMA reporting channels.
Last updated · sorted newest first
Go deeper on this topic
Weekly digests move fast — jump into the evergreen hubs and guides for the full playbook, red flags, and reporting steps.
What this is
This page indexes scams reported by or targeting residents of New Zealand. Entries are cross-referenced against the FMA warning list, CERT NZ quarterly reports, and Netsafe's reports.
Red flags to watch for
- Investment 'opportunity' from WhatsApp — verify the firm on the FMA warning list at fma.govt.nz
- 'IRD' or 'NZ Post' SMS with a link demanding a fee — government and couriers never SMS payment links
- Romance match on Tinder/Bumble pivoting to a 'mining platform' recommendation
- 'Microsoft' / 'Spark' tech-support call asking you to install remote software
- Trade Me listing buyer insisting on payment via PayPal Friends & Family
Live cases from the GACS feed
Loading current cases…
What to do if you've been targeted
- 1
Call your bank
ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank all run 24/7 fraud lines — funds can sometimes be recalled within minutes.
- 2
Report to CERT NZ
cert.govt.nz/report accepts screenshots, URLs, and email headers. Feeds into national threat intelligence.
- 3
Notify the FMA for investment fraud
fma.govt.nz/contact-us for unauthorised firms or clone-firm activity.
- 4
Lock affected accounts
Change passwords, enable 2FA, and request new debit cards.
- 5
Activate Shield
Save the actor's handles, wallets, and domains to your free GACS Shield.
FAQs
Where do I report a scam in New Zealand?
CERT NZ: cert.govt.nz/report. Netsafe: report.netsafe.org.nz or 0508 638 723. Investment: FMA at fma.govt.nz/contact-us. Bank: call your bank's fraud line immediately.
Will my bank refund me?
Under the NZ Banking Ombudsman Code, banks should reimburse when they failed reasonable warnings or kill-switch controls. Report immediately, in writing, and escalate to bankomb.org.nz if refused.
Are Inland Revenue or NZ Police texts ever legitimate?
Inland Revenue and NZ Police only message via the authenticated myIR / Police portals — never with clickable payment links. Real refunds appear in your myIR inbox, never via SMS. If the text contains a URL or QR code it is phishing; forward it free to 7726 to alert your telco.
Can I claim under New Zealand's voluntary banking code?
The NZ Banking Code requires reasonable care from both bank and customer. If your bank ignored warning signs, failed its kill-switch, or didn't act on a fraud report in time, escalate to the Banking Ombudsman (bankomb.org.nz). Decisions are binding on the bank up to NZ$500k.
How do I report a scam to GACS?
Submit the wallet address, website, phone number, or social handle at gacs.app. Each report is cross-checked against CryptoScamDB, URLhaus, and on-chain analysis before publication. Activate your free GACS Shield to monitor follow-on activity tied to the same actor.
Is the GACS Shield really free?
Yes. Activating your free Shield gives you unlimited scans, saved history, weekly alerts, and a watchlist — no card, no trial. There is no paid scanner tier.
Related scam profiles & guides
Activate your free GACS Shield
Save scammer handles, wallets, and domains. Get alerted when the same actor surfaces in a new report. Unlimited scans, no card.
Get My Free Scam AlertsAuthoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
- US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraud
Consumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
- UK Action Fraud
UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.
