With billions of dollars lost by scams every year in New Zealand, there has to be a better way to check before it’s too late. Too often, scams rely on pressure, fear, and confusion which can leave people guessing and taking risks.
I live in the Waikato, and I’ve spent months building a tool to help everyday people across New Zealand stay safe from scams.
This project started after I was personally caught out by a scam..., not because I was careless, but because scams are designed
to exploit pressure, uncertainty, and moments when things seem almost too good to be true.
At the time, I wished there was a single place where real New Zealand scam examples were being collected and checked..., something
I could use to slow down and verify what I was dealing with before taking action. That idea became KiwiScan.
KiwiScan is an NZ-specific scam detector built around the most common and emerging scam patterns seen here in New Zealand.
It’s designed to help you understand whether a message could be a scam, so you can check first, slow down, and make an informed
decision before taking the next step.
Many scam checkers are generic. KiwiScan focuses on what’s actually hitting New Zealand — fake NZTA tolls, IRD “refunds”, courier “redelivery fees”, telco “account alerts”, marketplace courier scams, and more.
Help Kiwis verify suspicious messages and avoid costly mistakes.
When a message feels “off”, you don’t need a lecture — you need a clear risk level and the next safest move.
Scam victims are already under pressure. We keep the experience lightweight: no sign-ups, no accounts, and a strong “don’t paste secrets” approach.
KiwiScan is tuned for local brands, local patterns, and local “what to do next” guidance — including official reporting options.
Scam detection isn’t perfect. KiwiScan prioritises safer behaviour: don’t click, verify via official channels, and act quickly if money or details were shared.
Practical checks that support better decisions.
Setting expectations properly helps trust.
If money has been lost, identity info was shared, or you feel unsafe — contact the right authority immediately. KiwiScan is guidance, not enforcement or recovery.
A message can look harmless but be risky, or look scary but be legitimate. KiwiScan helps you take the safer path: verify via official channels.
Use KiwiScan alongside official resources. If something is urgent, treat it as urgent — but respond safely (bank app, typed URLs, verified numbers).
If you’re unsure, you’re exactly the person it’s built for.
Random “account alert” messages, refund claims, or payment requests — especially with urgency or links.
“Redelivery fee” scams and fake parcel tracking pages pretending to be NZ Post or other couriers.
“Verify your login” or “unusual activity” messages that push you to click or call a number they provide.
Courier pickup scams, fake payment screenshots, or “insurance fee” tricks on Trade Me and Facebook Marketplace.
With billions of dollars lost by scams every year in New Zealand, there has to be a better way to check before it’s too late. Too often, scams rely on pressure, fear, and confusion which can leave people guessing and taking risks.
I live in the Waikato, and I’ve spent months building a tool to help everyday people across New Zealand stay safe from scams.
This project started after I was personally caught out by a scam..., not because I was careless, but because scams are designed
to exploit pressure, uncertainty, and moments when things seem almost too good to be true.
At the time, I wished there was a single place where real New Zealand scam examples were being collected and checked..., something
I could use to slow down and verify what I was dealing with before taking action. That idea became KiwiScan.
KiwiScan is an NZ-specific scam detector built around the most common and emerging scam patterns seen here in New Zealand.
It’s designed to help you understand whether a message could be a scam, so you can check first, slow down, and make an informed
decision before taking the next step.