Kiwis fight back against scams
BNZ’s latest Scam Savvy survey revealed that 87% of New Zealanders were targeted by scams in the past 12 months, consistent with the 88% reported in 2023.
Despite the continued threats, more Kiwis are taking action – 70% reported scams to authorities, compared to 62% in 2023 and just 46% in 2022.
“While it's concerning that scammers continue to target Kiwis at such a high rate, we’re pleased to see a significant increase in scam reporting,” said Ashley Kai Fong (pictured above), BNZ’s head of financial crime.
Scam tactics evolving rapidly
The report highlighted that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated:
- Government impersonation scams rose to 52%, up from 45% in 2023.
- Email scams remained the most common, targeting 34% of victims.
- Website-based scams more than doubled, with 22% of victims contacted this way, up from 9% last year.
- Social media scams affected 22% of respondents.
One in eight respondents fell victim to a scam, with 7% suffering financial losses.
“The tactics used by scammers are constantly evolving, so the increase in reporting is a crucial step in our collective fight against fraud,” Kai Fong said.
New security features launched to fight scams
BNZ has introduced new tools to protect customers, including an online banking lock feature.
“This new tool – available in the BNZ app – gives customers the ability to lock their online banking while they’re contacting us, potentially speeding up the process to lock their accounts and shut scammers out,” Kai Fong said.
Additional protective measures include:
- Identity verification through the BNZ app to confirm legitimate calls from BNZ staff.
- Enhanced two-factor authentication (2FA) for high-risk actions, such as changing contact details or adding payees.
- ID readers in branches to detect fraudulent documents.
Stay vigilant: Tips to avoid scams
Kai Fong stressed the importance of staying alert and reporting scams.
“Reporting a scam isn't just about your own protection – it could prevent someone else from becoming a victim too,” he said.
BNZ advises customers to follow these safety practices:
- Never click on unsolicited links.
- Keep software updated on phones and computers.
- Immediately contact your bank if you suspect a scam.
What BNZ will never ask you
BNZ reminds customers of red flags:
- BNZ will never send links via text or email asking you to log in.
- They won’t request PINs, passwords, or authentication codes.
- BNZ will never ask you to transfer money to help catch a scammer.
With scams on the rise, BNZ encourages all New Zealanders to remain scam-savvy, take swift action when suspicious activity occurs, and report any potential scams to protect themselves and others.
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