06.05.2025 [whosenumber.nz]
The share of scam calls coming from overseas is declining. However, tens of thousands of scam calls are still received every day in New Zealand.
A significant portion of international calls to New Zealand are linked to fraud. According to information released by local telecom operators, as many as 39% of international calls are estimated to be scam-related.
This still represents a notable decrease: a few years ago, the share of scam calls originating from overseas was estimated to be as high as 80%.
Telecommunications providers are doing their best to intercept as many suspicious calls as possible. In the first part of the year alone, operators in New Zealand blocked an average of 32,000 scam calls per day, for a total of nearly three million calls. Of these, more than two million originated from overseas.
The largest increase has been observed specifically in scam calls using international numbers.
– A good rule of thumb is never to call back an unknown overseas number that only rang once, explains a telecommunications security expert in a public statement.
A “one-ring” call refers to a deliberately very short call, designed so that the recipient does not have time to answer. The goal is to prompt the person to call the number back, resulting in very high charges. This technique is also known as the “callback scam” or “one-ring scam”.
According to security experts, thanks to the efforts of telecom providers, scammers are increasingly less likely to reach people’s phones in New Zealand.
– Nevertheless, it is essential to remain cautious. Personal information, such as banking details, should never be shared over the phone, even if the caller claims to be an authority.
Scammers are particularly active on weekends and public holidays. They aim to manipulate victims by creating a sense of urgency or danger to pressure them into acting quickly.
– Despite everything, people should not be afraid to answer the phone. If something feels suspicious, it is best to trust your instincts and end the call immediately and decisively, the expert advises.