NZTA Scam Text | How to Identify

September 6, 2025 Freddy news 0

NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) text message scams are a common form of phishing, where fraudsters impersonate the agency to steal personal or financial information.

These scams are designed to look urgent and legitimate to trick people into clicking malicious links.

How to Identify an NZTA Scam Text

According to the official NZTA Waka Kotahi website and other sources, there are key signs that a text message is a scam:

  • The Sender:

    • Genuine NZTA text reminders for services like vehicle registration (rego) or driver’s license renewal will only be sent from the number 3651. If the text comes from a different number, especially one with a foreign country code (like +61 from Australia), it is a scam.

  • The Content:

    • Scam texts often claim you need to take urgent action, such as:
      • Paying an overdue toll fee.
      • Renewing your driver’s license or rego.
      • Paying for an outstanding traffic or speeding ticket.
      • They may also contain spelling or grammatical errors.

  • The Link:

    • The most critical red flag is the presence of a link. The NZTA has confirmed they do not include links to online transactions in their text messages. Any text asking you to click a link to pay or update details is fraudulent.

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Common Scam Examples

Scammers frequently use these tactics:

  • “Overdue Tolls” Text:

    • These messages claim you have an unpaid toll from a specific date and ask you to click a link to resolve the payment.

  • “License Renewal” Text:

    • These texts create a sense of urgency, saying your license is expiring soon and providing a link to “renew” it.

  • “Vehicle Registration” Text:

    • Similar to license scams, these messages prompt you to renew your rego to avoid fines.

What to Do If You Receive a Scam Text

  1. Do NOT Click Any Links.

    • Do not follow any links, even if the text seems to be from a legitimate source.

  2. Delete the Message.

    • Delete the text message immediately to prevent accidentally clicking on it later.

  3. Report the Scam.

    • This is a critical step to help prevent others from falling victim.
      • Forward the message to 7726. This is a free number managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to report scam texts in New Zealand.
      • Report it to the NZTA. You can fill out their official online form at nzta.govt.nz/report-a-scam or forward the text to their email address at reportscams@nzta.govt.nz.

  4. Check Independently.

    • If you are unsure whether a text is a scam, do not use the link in the message. Instead, open a new browser window, go to the official nzta.govt.nz website, and log in to your account to check if you have any outstanding fees or renewals.

What to Do If You’ve Already Clicked the Link

If you have clicked the link or provided your details, you should:

  • Contact your bank immediately. If you entered any credit card or banking details, call your bank to cancel your card and report the fraudulent activity.
  • Change your passwords. If you entered any login details, change the password on that account and any other accounts where you use the same password.
  • Report to the Police. Report the incident to the New Zealand Police via their non-emergency number 105 or by using their online reporting service.

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