Netsafe Scam Update October 2025

New Zealanders lost significantly more money to online
credit card scams in October, despite the number of reported
cases dropping. Netsafe, New Zealand’s independent online
safety organisation, recorded a 235% jump in financial
losses from these scams last month, climbing from $1,865 in
September to $6,264 in October.

While reports to
Netsafe fell from 37 in September to 28 in October, the
sharp rise in financial losses suggests scammers are
changing their tactics and improving their
sophistication.

The losses in September averaged about
$50 per incident, which would be typical of online purchases
of consumer goods, whereas the average loss last month was
about $220, which is more typical of bogus fines or fees,
Netsafe noted.

The organisation expects this balance
to change back in the next few months as people start their
Christmas shopping.

Credit card-related scams
typically involve scammers collecting payment card numbers
and using them to make purchases or other payments online.
Netsafe says the data is a good reminder to be extra
cautious about where you share payment information
online.

When shopping online, check customer reviews
to see whether the seller delivers the goods they advertise.
Where possible, choose stores that are well known or that
you’re familiar with.

If you receive a text or email
about a fine or fee, don’t click any links or pay straight
away. Instead, look up the organisation’s official contact
details and contact them directly to confirm whether the
message is genuine.

Netsafe also encourages people to
regularly review their transaction history for unexpected
charges and to compare order confirmation emails with
payment records.

The latest data is consistent with
September’s report, which showed that while the number of
impersonation scam reports dropped, the total monetary loss
increased.

Money lost to impersonation scams climbed
from $5,000 in August to $19,600 in September – an increase
of nearly 300% – even as reports fell from 79 to 73. These
types of scams involve scammers pretending to be someone to
extract money and information from people close to the
victim.

Report to Netsafe

If you need
assistance or support Netsafe has got you
covered. 

Contact us by completing an online
report form, emailing us on help@netsafe.org.nz or
texting on 4282.

We can offer support, including
guiding you through any steps you may be able to take if you
have been caught up in a sextortion scam, and advice on how
to stay safe in future. We may be able to help with
reporting profiles and content to the online platforms. Here
is how our process works. 

Our helpline is
open from 8am – 6pm weekdays. Our free number is 0508 638
723.

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