In this story
Forward to 7726, then reply with sender details
In New Zealand, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has a reporting pathway for spam or scam text messages. Forward the message free of charge to the shortcode 7726. The reporting flow then has a follow-up step: reply to the DIA with the sender’s phone number or email address. The DIA says the report is still registered even if the sender’s number is not supplied in the follow-up reply.
Some message types cannot be forwarded to 7726. DIA's Digital Safety page suggests copying the full text, opening a new message to 7726, pasting and sending it, then sending the sender's number when prompted. These provide message content and phone numbers to the telecommunications providers and DIA.
7726 lets telecoms probe and block scams
The 7726 service page says reports share the message content, sender, and recipient phone numbers with providers and DIA. One NZ explains the data is used to investigate scams, block malicious senders, and protect customers. So while 7726 may not remove scam messages directly, it does feed reports to the blocking and investigatory work.
The government's Keep It Real Online campaign also recommends forwarding spam texts to 7726, and CERT NZ, now part of the National Cyber Security Centre, advises not clicking suspicious links, blocking the sender and reporting the message to 7726.
Tell CERT NZ if the scam succeeded
If you think you have been affected by a scam, CERT NZ says to report it confidentially to them, and immediately notify your bank if you have made a payment or shared payment information. For parcel scams in particular, NZ Post tells recipients of suspicious texts not to click the hyperlink or submit the form, and instead to forward the message to 7726.
Also report impersonation to the right body
Text scams that claim to be from a parcel delivery service or online retailer should all go to 7726. However, if the text claims to be from a government agency or a specific company, you may need to report that alleged impersonation separately.
If the scam impersonated a government department or a business, report it to that organisation as well, describing the message and including the sender's number.
Block the number and collect evidence
Blocking the sender stops more texts from that number, but not similar scams from other numbers. On an iPhone, open the conversation, tap the sender's number at the top and choose Block this Caller. On Android the option is in the Messages app and its location varies by manufacturer.
If you lost money or details, keep the evidence. CERT NZ advises gathering evidence, such as screenshots, of the message, the sender's number, and the fraudulent claim or form. Payment records may also be needed.
Lost money? Tell your bank and the police
Finally, for scam money or credential theft, CERT NZ recommends bank notification and a potential police fraud report.
