Fake Delivery Texts in New Zealand: NZ Post and Customs Impersonation
New Zealand consumers receive fraudulent SMS messages impersonating NZ Post and NZ Customs demanding small fees to release parcels. The links lead to card-skimming sites that capture full payment details.
Part of: Fake Delivery Texts
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
As New Zealanders increasingly shop from international retailers, genuine customs and import duty notifications have become routine. Scammers exploit this familiarity by sending unsolicited SMS messages that precisely mimic NZ Post and NZ Customs branding and language.
The small fee requested — typically under NZ$5 — reduces the victim's resistance. Once card details are entered on the fake site, the attacker uses them for larger, unrelated purchases.
How this scam works on New Zealand
A text arrives stating that a parcel is being held at the NZ Post delivery centre and a small customs fee is required before it can be dispatched. The link in the message leads to a site bearing the NZ Post or Customs logo, colour scheme, and a professional layout. The page asks for card details to process the fee.
In some variants, the fake site also collects the recipient's full name, address, and phone number — useful for identity fraud beyond just card theft. The 'confirmation' page looks genuine and generates a fake tracking number to maintain the illusion.
Some campaigns arrive via automated WhatsApp messages from overseas numbers, blending into legitimate notification channels and arriving on the same phone where New Zealanders receive real parcel updates.
Common red flags
- SMS about a parcel requiring a customs fee when you were not expecting international mail
- Link in the message goes to a domain other than nzpost.co.nz or customs.govt.nz
- Sender is an unfamiliar mobile number or a generic numeric code
- Site requests full card number and CVV for a fee under NZ$5
- Message contains spelling or grammar errors not typical of official government communications
- Padlock icon displayed but URL does not match official NZ Post or Customs domains
How to protect yourself
- Track parcels only via nzpost.co.nz directly, not via links in unsolicited texts
- Never enter card details on a site reached from an SMS link
- Verify genuine customs fees by calling NZ Post on their official number: 0800 501 501
- Use a low-limit virtual card for any small online fees to limit exposure
- Enable real-time transaction alerts on your bank account to catch unauthorised use
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 to report to your mobile carrier
How to report it
- Report the phishing site to CERT NZ at cert.govt.nz — they maintain a national phishing database
- Forward the SMS to NZ Post at [email protected]
- Report to NZ Police at police.govt.nz if you have lost money
Frequently asked questions
Does NZ Post ever request payment via SMS links?
NZ Post and NZ Customs send genuine duty and customs notifications, but they direct customers to log in to their accounts directly via nzpost.co.nz or provide a phone number to call — they do not request card payment via SMS links. Any SMS requesting a link click to pay a fee should be treated as fraudulent until independently verified.