REPORT A SCAM
TOOL SUPPORT & SAFETY

Report a scam in New Zealand

Reporting scams helps NZ agencies track patterns and warn others. Use the official channels below — and include the right information so your report is actionable.

Where to report What to include Scan the message

If you paid money or shared banking details

Contact your bank immediately first — then report the scam. If you clicked a link or shared details, follow the safety pages below as well.

I sent money I clicked a link I shared details

Where to report (official NZ options)

Use the option that best matches what happened.

CERT NZ (common starting point)

Report phishing, scam texts/emails, malicious links, hacked accounts, and suspicious cyber incidents.

Best for: phishing links, fake NZTA/IRD/courier pages, account takeovers, malware prompts.
Report to CERT NZ

Netsafe (support + advice)

If you need guidance, you’re being harassed, blackmailed, scammed on social media, or you want help with next steps.

Best for: online harassment, sextortion, social media scams, advice and triage.
Report to Netsafe

NZ Police (fraud / money loss)

If you lost money, your identity is being used, or there’s serious harassment/threats, you may need a Police report.

Best for: financial loss, identity theft, threats, repeated/extreme scam attempts.
Police cybercrime info

DIA / Scamwatch (scam awareness)

Report common scam patterns and help improve national awareness. Useful for widespread SMS/email scam templates.

Best for: scam trends, repeating templates, awareness reporting.
Visit Scamwatch NZ

Special cases (quick guidance)

A few common NZ scenarios and where to start.

Spam/scam text messages

  • Do not click links or reply.
  • Screenshot the message (including the sender number/name).
  • Report via CERT NZ and/or Netsafe.
Tip: Keep the original message for evidence (don’t delete until you’ve captured screenshots).

Phishing emails

  • Do not open attachments.
  • Capture the sender address and the full email header if you can.
  • Report via CERT NZ.
If you entered details on a linked page, follow the “shared details” steps.

Marketplace scams (Trade Me / Facebook)

  • Report the user through the platform first.
  • Keep chat logs and screenshots.
  • If money was lost, contact your bank and consider a Police report.
Courier “insurance fee” and “I’ll send a driver with cash” are common scam patterns.

What to include in your report

This is what makes a report useful. Copy/paste this checklist.

Report checklist

  • The exact message text (or screenshots)
  • Sender phone number / email address / social handle
  • The link(s) involved (copy/paste, don’t click)
  • What the scam claimed (e.g., “NZTA toll”, “IRD refund”, “parcel fee”)
  • What you did (clicked, replied, entered details, paid)
  • Date/time and any reference numbers/receipts
  • Any bank details used (recipient account, payee name, crypto wallet address)
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Save your evidence

Put everything in one folder: screenshots, chat logs, emails, receipts, and links. This makes it easier if you need to talk to your bank, platform support, or Police.

If you can, write a short timeline: “what happened, what I clicked, what I shared, what I paid”.

Watch for follow-up scams

After you report, scammers often try again: “refund agents”, “bank investigators”, “crypto recovery”, “police case fee”. Treat those as suspicious too.

Real organisations don’t ask you to pay to recover your money.

Not sure what you received?

Scan the message and KiwiScan will guide you to the right next steps.

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