Extra protection built into payments
Scams are getting more sophisticated — but so are we.
We're adding extra checks to help you — and us — spot scams before your money leaves your account.
How it works
Here’s what’s changing, and how these checks can help you keep your payments safer.
Tell us why you're making the payment
You'll be asked what the payment is for, for example paying a friend or a bill.
This helps us show you scam protection tips based on your payment purpose.
Get scam protection tips
We’ll show you messages and tips to help you decide whether you want to continue with your payment.
If you’re unsure, pause and reach out — we’re here to help.
We'll flag potential fraud risks
If we detect something unusual about the payment, we'll let you know there may be a fraud risk. You'll have the option to continue or cancel the payment.
In some cases, we may decline the payment to protect you.
Safer payment checks, however you bank
You'll see these checks mainly when you pay someone online, but you might also be asked to provide a payment purpose when making a payment in a branch, or through our contact centre.
Some payments stay the same
You won't see these extra steps when you're making:
- regular bill payments to registered companies like Spark, Mercury, or IRD
- transfers between your own Kiwibank accounts.
If in doubt, pause & reach out
Scams are getting harder to spot, if something doesn't feel right or you're unsure, here's what to do:
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Pause and slow down
Take a moment — don't rush a payment or respond to pressure. Slowing down gives you time to think more clearly and decide whether to continue.
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24/7 support is available
We're here to help if something seems unusual. Call our fraud and scam support team anytime on 0800 113 355 or +64 4 473 1133 from overseas.
Stay alert about scams
We’re here to help you bank with confidence. Learn more about how we keep your banking secure, and how to spot scams on our fraud and scams hub.