Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is warning people to be on the lookout for a scam vehicle licence (rego) email currently in circulation.
While the email appears to be a standard vehicle licensing (rego) renewal reminder, with the NZ Transport Agency logo and links to the online transaction website, it is part of a sophisticated phishing exercise. The phishing email also comes from an email address with an nzta.co.nz suffix, rather than nzta.govt.nz.
If you’ve recently received an email asking you to renew your rego, NZTA urge people to check the email details carefully. If the email was genuinely sent from the Transport Agency, it will include specific vehicle details including:
- your vehicle’s plate number
- vehicle make
- the expiry date of your current vehicle licence.
A spokesperson for the NZTA said: “If the email does not include your specific vehicle details, do not complete the online renewal transaction webpage that the email takes you to. If you think you’ve received a scam email, or you’re unsure, please call us on 0800 108 809.”
If you have unintentionally clicked on a suspicious link and entered your credit card or banking details, they recommend you:
- Contact your bank immediately and have them stop any payments that may have been made. You may also need to request a new credit/debit card.
- Report the email to your local Police cyber-crime division.
- Go to the netsafe website and read their advisories. It is a very helpful resource for cyber safety.
- Do not delete the email. Instead, put it in your junk mail folder in case the Police need it for further examination.