In today's digital age our online interactions, from scrolling through social media to making purchases, are fraught with risks from deceptive schemes and scammers. Learn how to identify and avoid these risks and what to do if you think you've been scammed.
An online scam is any deceptive scheme delivered through digital communications with the intent to steal money or personal information.
Learn how to identify and avoid common scams, as well as how to get help and support.
We’ve worked with Spectrum Care to create plain language online safety guides and resources for people with an intellectual disability, and those who support them.
People use the internet in different ways and these guides can help them stay safe.
If you suspect you’ve encountered an online scam, you’re not alone - New Zealanders lose millions of dollars to scams each year.
You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.
Our helpline is open weekdays from 8am til 8pm, and weekends & public holidays from 9am til 5pm.
Even if the message appears to be from a legitimate organisation like a bank or internet provider.
Claims of problems with your phone, laptop, or internet, often offering to fix them.
Legitimate organisations never ask for your passwords.
Avoid clicking on links or responding to messages asking you to verify your account details.
Avoid transactions outside of established platforms like Airbnb.
Offers of prizes or money that require a "processing" fee.
Never send money to people you have met online.
Scammers often request payments via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, bitcoins, or money transfer systems.
Never grant remote access to your device unless you have initiated the request.
Scammers often pressure you to act quickly to avoid a negative outcome or to seize a supposed opportunity.
Learn more about Netsafe's cutting-edge AI tool designed to waste scammers time so they can’t target their next victims.
A useful guide to common scams - how to spot them, avoid them and what to do if you've been targeted.
Designed to support older people, our 'Spot-a-scam' resource is part of our 'Get Set Up For Safety resource suite, supported by Chorus.
Designed to support older people, our 'Spot-a-scam' resource is part of our 'Get Set Up For Safety resource suite, supported by Chorus.
Check if a website or link is legitimate at CheckNetsafe.nz
Get to grips with romance scams - how to spot them and what to do if you think you're involved with someone who isn't who they say they are,
Take a look at insights from our latest research on the state of scams in Aotearoa.
Find the latest NZ brand scams below - compiled from the Domain Name Commission’s latest scams page and information collected from our helpline data.
