Phishing alert: “Mum I dropped my phone”

Published: 09/08/2023 | ICT/Technology | National

CertNZ are advising New Zealanders of a new text message phishing scam to be vigilant of.

The text message scams claim that a person’s child or family member has lost their phone and asks that they be contacted on the new number they’re texting from. On replying to the text, scammers then ask for bank account and/or credit card details.

Cert NZ recommend the following steps:

Do not respond to the message.
If you receive this message and are worried about your child or family member, contact them on their regular number first.
If you suspect this is a phishing scam, forward the text to the Department of Internal Affairs at 7726, free of charge.
You can also report this to CertNZ via their website: Report an issue (external link)

You can find out more about this particular threat at: “Mum I dropped my phone” SMS scam targeting New Zealanders | CERT NZ(external link)