FMA (Financial Markets Authority – New Zealand)

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is New Zealand's integrated financial markets regulator, responsible for licensing, conduct regulation, and enforcement across securities, insurance, KiwiSaver, and financial advice. In the context of consumer protection from fraud, the FMA is the primary body for complaints about investment scams, unlicensed financial service providers, and misleading claims about investment returns. It maintains a list of unlicensed entities and warning notices at fma.govt.nz.

Consumers who believe they have been offered a fraudulent investment, received unsolicited investment advice, or invested with an unlicensed provider should report to the FMA through its online reporting form. The FMA has powers to issue public warnings, apply for freezing orders on assets, cancel licences, and refer cases to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for criminal prosecution. The SFO handles the largest and most complex cases where criminal fraud charges are likely to result.

For general online shopping fraud, phishing, and non-investment scams, New Zealand consumers should report to the Police (via the 105 non-emergency line or 105.police.govt.nz) and to Netsafe. The Banking Ombudsman Scheme handles disputes with banks. The FMA publishes an investor alert list and educational resources on its website to help consumers verify whether a firm is properly licensed before investing.