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Spot Scam Texts: Fake Delivery, Toll and Bank Messages

Scam texts are now as common as scam emails. They pretend to be a courier, a toll road, IRD, your bank or your phone company, and they all want the same thing: for you to tap the link and enter your card or bank details.

The texts we see most in New Zealand

  • Parcel delivery "Your NZ Post parcel couldn't be delivered. Pay a $2.99 redelivery fee." The small fee is there to get your card number.
  • Unpaid tolls or fines A message about an unpaid toll, parking fine or speeding ticket, with a link to pay before a penalty is added.
  • Tax refunds "You're due a refund from IRD. Claim it here." IRD pays refunds straight into the bank account it has on file. You don't need a link to get one.
  • Bank alerts "A payment of $849 has been made from your account. If this wasn't you, call this number." The number goes to the scammer, who then talks you into moving your money "somewhere safe".
  • "Hi Mum" A text or WhatsApp message from an unknown number claiming to be your son or daughter on a new phone, who soon needs money for an urgent bill.

How to tell it's fake

  • The link looks strange Real companies use their own website address. Scam links use odd names such as nzpost-redelivery.info or nzta-toll.vip.
  • You weren't expecting it You haven't ordered anything, you haven't driven a toll road, or you've never banked with that bank.
  • It wants a payment or your card details Especially a small amount.
  • It's in the same thread as real messages Scammers can make a text appear alongside genuine ones from your bank or courier, so that alone doesn't prove it's real.

Never use the link or number in a text. Open the company's app, type its website address yourself, or call the number on the back of your card or on your bill.

Report it to 7726

Forward scam texts to 7726. It's free, and the Department of Internal Affairs uses the reports to block scam numbers and links across New Zealand networks. Then delete the text, and block the number.

  • iPhone Press and hold the message, tap More, then the arrow, and send it to 7726.
  • Android Press and hold the message, tap Forward (or the three dots, then Forward), and send it to 7726.

If you've entered your details

  • Call your bank straight away Use the number on the back of your card. They can stop the card and watch for fraud. Banks can sometimes recover money if you're quick.
  • Change any password you entered And the same password anywhere else you've used it.
  • Watch for follow-up calls Scammers often ring a day or two later pretending to be the bank's fraud team. Hang up and call the bank yourself.
  • Report it To the National Cyber Security Centre or Netsafe.

More on what to do if you clicked a phishing link.