Customs and the Department of Internal Affairs are urging Kiwis not to click on hyperlinks in unexpected text messages after hundreds of people received a text about unpaid "customs charges".
The scam was sent out over the past 24 hours from an Australian number, with the scammers impersonating the United Parcel Service (UPS).
"We have attempted to deliver your package UPS016448296GB, but there is an unpaid customs charge," the scam text reads. "Follow the instructions here."
Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs said the link included in the test can be used to gain the recipient's financial information.
"The webpage will prompt the recipient to confirm redelivery of the parcel and advise them [of] a $2-$3 fee that needs to be paid.
"The recipient will instead be directed to a 'special offer' page in the same styling as amazon.com, offering the latest smartphone at a heavily discounted price and prompting the recipient to provide personal and financial information."
If the recipient adds their details, the scammer can access them, log in to the recipient's bank accounts and steal money from them.
"Engaging with these messages results in significant financial loss," the Department of Internal Affairs said.
"If you are a victim of these scams, please contact your bank and lodge a complaint with the Police."
In a message to Twitter, NZ Customs alerted Kiwis to the scam.
"Customs never contacts individuals or businesses about the arrival of goods in New Zealand," it said.
"If you receive this text or anything that looks suspicious, do not respond or click on the link."
The Department of Internal Affairs is urging Kiwis not to click on the hyperlinks and to report it.
The scam comes in the middle of Fraud Awareness Week where Consumer Protection (MBIE) is encouraging Kiwis to be aware of new and sophisticated scams.
Scam and fraud reports to Netsafe rose by 73 percent in the April - June 2020 period.
Mark Hollingsworth, manager of consumer protection, said the volume and complexity of scams are increasing.
"COVID-19 related scams are on the rise as scammers target vulnerable people with promises around investing, job opportunities and sales of medical equipment or treatments," he said.
"We're encouraging people to make the right decision in those crucial early moments when they're contacted unexpectedly.
"We want people to automatically question unexpected calls and emails."
