Scams & Fraud Recovery
Reporting scams, recovering money from your bank, online harm, investment scams, identity theft, and phishing in New Zealand.
Covered in this guide:
If you've been scammed in New Zealand, act fast — the first hours matter most. Report fraud to NZ Police (111 emergency / 105 non-emergency and online reporting), contact your bank immediately to try to stop or recover funds, and use Netsafe for online harm. Scams are crimes under the Crimes Act 1961 (obtaining by deception, s 240) and the Fair Trading Act 1986; online harm is covered by the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015. Investment scams go to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
Police: 111 / 105. Netsafe: 0508 638 723. Report spam texts to 7726.
Key Laws
Crimes Act 1961
Public Act 1961 No 43; ss 228, 240
Fraud and obtaining property/benefit by deception.
Fair Trading Act 1986
Public Act 1986 No 121
Bans misleading conduct, pyramid schemes and false claims.
Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015
Public Act 2015 No 63; ss 6, 11–12, 22
Tackles serious online harm; Netsafe is the approved agency.
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009
Public Act 2009 No 35
Bank obligations relevant to tracing and freezing scam funds.
Report a Scam (Where to Go)
Knowing who to tell gets you help faster. Scams are crimes — obtaining by deception is an offence under section 240 of the Crimes Act 1961. For most scams and fraud, report to NZ Police on 105 (or onl...
Recovering Money After a Scam
The moment you realise you've been scammed, contact your bank — speed is everything. If the money has just left, the bank may be able to stop, recall, or trace it, especially for a bank-transfer or ca...
Online Harm and Harassment
The Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA) tackles serious online harm — threats, harassment, intimate-image abuse, and grossly offensive or false communications. It's built around 10 communic...
Investment and Financial Scams
Investment scams — fake trading platforms, "guaranteed" high returns, crypto cons, and impersonation of real firms — are among the costliest frauds in New Zealand. Genuine financial services...
Identity Theft
Identity theft — someone using your personal details to open accounts, take loans, or commit fraud — needs a fast, organised response. Using another person's identity to obtain a benefit can be an off...
Phishing and Text/Email Scams
Phishing — fake texts and emails pretending to be your bank, a courier, a government agency or a well-known company — is designed to steal your logins, card details or money. Unsolicited commercial me...