Phishing
You get a message from someone who pretends to be from a well-known organisation. They ask for your personal or financial details.
Recognising scams
Learn more about scams, how to spot them and what to do when you find them.
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Types of scams
These are some of the most common types of scams, but scammers can approach you in many other ways.
Investment scams
You get a call or see an online ad proposing an investment opportunity with low risk and high returns. You make an investment but can never get your money back.
Impersonation scams
You receive a call from someone who asks for remote access to your computer to fix a computer or online banking issue you don’t have.
How to spot a scam
Unexpected contact
Someone you don’t know contacts you or you get a message from someone you know, but the message seems unusual.
Sense of urgency
Scammers want you to act quickly, without thinking. They will often ask you to click on a link or send account information immediately.
Generic greetings and sign offs
Scams might not be addressed specifically to you. Instead, they might start or end with a generic greeting such as “Dear Sir or Madam” or “The Team”.
What BNZ will never do
If you get a message that looks like a scam, make sure you know what the companies you deal with, will or won’t ask you to do. For example, BNZ will never:
- email or text you links to online banking and ask you to log in
- send you a text message with a link to a website, or link to call us
- ask you for information about your PIN number, bank account number, or password
- ask you to verbally share the authentication codes sent to you by text or email, even with a BNZ staff member
- ask you to transfer money to help catch a scammer or a bank employee who is scamming customers
- send you a text message about account issues with a link to log in
- ask you to download software to access your Internet Banking remotely
- use international phone numbers to call or send you notifications.
Report a scam
If you’ve received an email or text and have provided your personal banking information, call us immediately on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).
Forward any BNZ looking emails or texts that you think are suspicious or spam, to phishing@bnz.co.nz. We have dedicated Cyber and Fraud teams who investigate and manage each report on a case-by-case basis.
Once you’ve reported the scam to us, report your case to the Police.
BNZ does not warrant or represent that by following the steps contained within, you will not be subject to an adverse cyber security incident.
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