In this story
Fake parcel delivery and road toll texts are a steady source of scams in New Zealand, designed to push people into handing over card and identity details. If a suspicious text has just arrived, this guide shows how to check it safely.
How the parcel scam works
The basic text impersonates a courier such as NZ Post or New Zealand Couriers. A typical message claims a parcel has an incomplete address or is being held, adds urgency, and asks you to follow a link to confirm your details or pick a delivery slot.
Another version claims delivery failed because of unpaid postage and asks for a small fee through a link.
A related scam impersonates NZTA Waka Kotahi and claims an unpaid road toll, with a link to a fake payment page.
Every version has the same shape: a small, urgent payment or confirmation stands between you and a parcel or a penalty.
The telltale signs in the text
Got an unexpected delivery text? Check it for these three red flags:
- The sender: a message from an ordinary mobile number, especially one with an overseas country code, should be treated as a scam. If you are not sure, do not click or reply.
- The link: genuine NZ Post links point to nzpost.co.nz. Lookalike addresses with extra words, hyphens or unusual endings are fake. Never enter personal or payment details on a site you reached from a text.
- The ask: an urgent request to pay or confirm details for a parcel you were not expecting is the clearest sign of all.
What the fake site is trying to get
The fake pages are built to collect card details. Some also ask for the one-time code your bank sends, which lets the scammer approve a payment or add your card to their own phone wallet. The small fee is only the bait.
Words like urgent or final notice are there to make you fill in the form before you think about it.
How to check safely
To check a parcel safely, do not use the link in the text. Open the courier's official app or type its web address yourself, and enter the tracking number from your order confirmation. NZ Post and New Zealand Couriers both publish lists of current scams on their own websites.
What to do next
Don't reply or click on any link. Forward the text free to 7726, the Department of Internal Affairs spam line, then delete the message. If you think you entered personal details, or clicked on the link, call your bank immediately.
Why this keeps happening
Delivery and toll scams have circulated in New Zealand for years, impersonating NZ Post, NZTA Waka Kotahi, Inland Revenue, banks and couriers. The pattern works, so scammers keep adapting it.
Any surprise fee, an unfamiliar web address or a request for card details is a reason to stop and check through the official channel.
