Latest scams

If you think you may have been scammed, call us immediately on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).

Forward any suspicious BNZ-related emails to phishing@bnz.co.nz.

Some customers are receiving texts claiming to be from BNZ. The text tells the customer their BNZ Rewards will expire shortly and asks the customer to activate the rewards by replying “Y” to the text message.

How it works

The scammers:

• text the customer claiming to be from BNZ, and tell the customer their rewards will expire soon
• ask the customer to either reply to the text with a “Y” or copy and paste the link into their browser
• encourage the customer to activate and redeem the rewards for various gift cards and electronics via a fake website
• ask for the customer’s postal address and BNZ log in details.

If you receive this text, report it to phishing@bnz.co.nz and then delete the message. If you’re a BNZ customer and you’ve given someone your personal banking information, or believe you’ve been a victim of a scam, call BNZ immediately on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).

What to remember

• BNZ will never send you a text message with a link to a website, or link to call us. We’ll also never text you links to online banking and ask you to log in.
• BNZ will never use international phone numbers to call or send you notifications.
• Never provide your personal banking information, including passwords, PIN and two-factor authentication codes to anyone, including BNZ staff. They add another layer of security to your banking. Scammers can use these details for password resets or setting up a new device on your Internet Banking profile.
• Never give anyone you don’t know (including BNZ staff) access to your devices (for example your phone, tablet or computer).
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

Some customers are receiving emails that are followed by a call from scammers pretending to be from ‘BNZ Fraud’.

How it works

The scammers:

• email claiming to be from BNZ, telling customers their bank accounts have been compromised
• claim that a ‘case number’ or ‘case ID’ has been assigned and only they can assist with the issue
• follow up with a phone call impersonating BNZ, where they claim that there are suspicious transactions on the account.

If this happens to you, end the call immediately. If you’re a BNZ customer and you’ve given someone your personal banking information, or believe you’ve been a victim of a scam, call 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).

What to remember

• BNZ does not identify customers using ‘case numbers’ or ‘case IDs’ via email.
• Never provide your personal banking information, PIN, two-factor authentication codes, or access to your personal devices (for example your phone, tablet or computer) to anyone, including BNZ staff.  They add another layer of security to your banking. Scammers can use these details for password resets and setting up a new device on your Internet Banking profile.
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

We’re seeing business and personal customers receiving calls or emails from scammers pretending to be from BNZ. They’re advising customers that their bank accounts have been compromised, or suspicious transactions have been detected.

How it works

The scammers:

• claim to be from BNZ
• tell customers their bank accounts have been compromised, or that there are suspicious transactions on their account
• may ask customers to verify themselves, including asking for passwords, two-factor authentication codes, Visa secure codes, or credit card details
• may direct customers to a fake BNZ website where the customer’s account access and password details are compromised when they log in
• may prompt customers to click on a link to download a remote desktop application, which can then be used to steal other personal information.

If this happens to you, end the call immediately. If you’re a BNZ customer who has provided your personal banking information, use the phone numbers on the back of your card, or call us on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901). Forward the email to phishing@bnz.co.nz

What to remember

• Never provide your personal banking information to anyone. This includes your password, verification code, password reset codes, visa secure code, or credit card details.
• Never provide your two-factor authentication codes to anyone, including BNZ staff. They add another layer of security to your banking. Scammers can use these details for password resets and setting up a new device.
• Never download remote access software to your computer. This gives scammers access to your computer. 
• Never log in to Internet Banking or the BNZ app while someone has remote access to your device. This can give scammers full access to your accounts.

We’re seeing an increasing number of customers targeted by investment and romance scams. These scammers can target you in many ways.

How it works

• Investment scams: You get a call or see an online ad about an investment opportunity from an organisation that isn’t a bank or officially registered financial institution. It might also come from an organisation pretending to be a known investment provider. You make an investment but can never get your money back.
• Romance scams: You meet someone online and they express strong emotions but make excuses not to meet in person. They begin to ask for money for urgent situations like medical issues or travel costs, or pressure you to send money in ways that are hard to trace like gift cards or cryptocurrency.

If you’re a BNZ customer and you’ve given someone your personal banking information, or believe you’ve been a victim of a scam, call 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).

What to remember

• Never provide personal banking information, PIN, two-factor authentication codes, or access to your personal devices to anyone, including BNZ staff.
• Do your own research and only contact investment firms using the contact details on their official New Zealand-based websites. Don’t contact them through emails, links, or phone numbers found online or sent to you directly.
• Make sure investment firms are licenced by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and check the FMA warnings and alerts to make sure they aren’t listed as a suspected scammer.
• Don’t send money, gift cards, or personal financial information to someone you’ve only met online, or agree to receive or send parcels on their behalf.
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

Some customers are receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be from BNZ. They ask for card information under the guise of it being compromised. Recent cases have targeted people 65 years and older.

How it works

The scammers:

• falesly claim to be phoning from BNZ, telling the customer their cards have been compromised and that a block has been put on them
• ask the customer to confirm their card PIN number
• tell the customer they’ve arranged for someone to collect the cards from their home address and arrange replacement cards to be dropped back to them the next day.

If this happens to you, end the call immediately. If you’re a BNZ customer who has provided your personal banking information, call us on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).

What to remember

• BNZ will never ask you for your PIN, password, or credit card details. Never provide your personal banking information to anyone.
• BNZ won’t collect bank cards from your physical address.
• BNZ will never instruct you to post your bank cards back to us.
• Never provide your two-factor authentication codes to anyone, including BNZ staff.
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

Some customers are receiving emails and calls from scammers pretending to be from BNZ or a telecommunications service. They ask customers to take steps to protect their bank account.

How it works 

The scammers:

• falsely claim there’s an been an issue, or unusual activity, on the customer’s account
• offer to support the customer with their internet or modem connection
• ask the customer to download software, allow remote access to their device, and/or log in to their bank account
• may also follow an email with a call, pretending to be from BNZ.

If this happens to you, end the call immediately. If you’re a BNZ customer who has provided your personal banking information, call us on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901). Forward the email to phishing@bnz.co.nz 

What to remember 

• Never log in to Internet Banking or the BNZ app while someone has remote access of your device. This can give scammers full access to your accounts.
• Never provide your personal banking information to anyone. This includes your access number, password, or credit card details.
• Never provide your two-factor authentication codes to anyone including BNZ staff. They add another layer of security to your banking. Scammers can use these details for password resets and setting up a new device on your Internet Banking profile.
• Always properly read any emails, texts, or in-app prompts received from BNZ to understand what the message is for.
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

Some customers are receiving calls from scammers claiming to be from BNZ. They’re directed to a fake BNZ website and asked to download a remote access application disguised as “Chat Support”. 

While one fake website has been removed, these types of bank impersonation scams are increasingly common in New Zealand so it’s important to be aware of how they work. 

How it works 

The scammers:

• falsely claim someone’s tried to use the customer’s account to make a payment via Telephone Banking or Internet Banking
• direct the customer to a fake BNZ website they claim will help them with chat support 
• instruct the customer to click the ‘Download Chat Support’ button on the fake BNZ website.

What to remember 

• BNZ doesn’t offer live chat support on our website, only in our authenticated channels (the BNZ app and Internet Banking). You don’t need to download extra applications to use our virtual assistant, Āwhina.
• BNZ will never include links to install software or applications directly from our website. We only link to the mobile app stores that our apps are available from.
• Always check that the URL for the BNZ website is correct (bnz.co.nz) before you complete any actions on it. 
• Never log in to Internet Banking or the BNZ app via links in text messages or emails. 
• Never share your password reset codes with anyone. Only enter these codes in to your BNZ app or Internet Banking if you requested them.
• If you’re a BNZ customer who’s received a call like this, or have provided your personal banking information, call us immediately on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

Some customers are receiving an email or text message claiming to be from BNZ. It tells the customer they’ve been credited with a cashback to their account and to ‘Check Now’ in their online banking. 

How it works 

The scammers ask the customer to:

• log in to their online banking using a link in the email or text message 
• verify themselves using their access number and email address, banking log in details, or other private information. 

If this happens to you, please forward a copy of the email or text message to phishing@bnz.co.nz

What to remember 

• Never click on a login or access link in an email or text message. BNZ will never send you an email or text with a link asking you to log in. 
• Carefully read any emails and texts you receive and check the sender’s email address to verify the legitimacy of the email.
• Never provide your personal banking information to anyone. This includes your password, two-factor authentication codes, or credit card details. If BNZ contacts you, we’ll have the information we need to identify you, and you shouldn’t need to provide these details. 
• If you’re a BNZ customer who’s received an email like this, or have provided your personal banking information, call us immediately on 0800 735 901 (international +64 4 473 5901).
• Visit our recognising scams page to learn about common types of scams and how to spot them.

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.