Scammers attacking Kiwi vehicle owners

Scammers are trying to direct New Zealanders to a bogus website where they can renew their vehicles’ registration, the NZTA is warning.

The agency is advising people to delete the widely-distributed phishing scam emails.

“These emails aren’t from the NZ Transport Agency,” says spokesman Andy Knackstedt. “They’re part of a phishing scam which leads people to a counterfeit website.”

Since the NZTA warned about a similar phishing scam in late 2019, several new versions of the original email have appeared.

An email sent genuinely by the agency will include specific vehicle details like registration plate number, vehicle make and the licence expiry date on the vehicle’s rego, says Knackstedt.

“If you receive an email that doesn’t include your specific vehicle details, or you think there’s anything suspicious or incorrect, don’t complete the online renewal transaction the email links you to.”