Fraudulent behaviour towards our customers is not okay. Check out the below scams we’re currently aware of so you know what to look out for.

How to report fraudulent activity

If you, or someone you know received a scam email, message or phone call, report it CERT NZ so coordinated action is taken and enforcement authorities will be alerted if required. 

It is also important that if you are in doubt, to NEVER give out your credit card details or banking PINs and passwords or click on links without verifying the link address. If you have given out your bank or credit card details and you're not sure if it was legitimate, we recommend that you call your credit card company or bank to ask them what you should do next, such as cancelling or temporarily disabling your card. 

Fake Facebook and Messenger accounts (Nov 2024)

We’re aware there has been fake Facebook accounts impersonating Contact Energy and asking for energy usage and payment details. We’ll never request payment details via email, Messenger or WhatsApp, so if you receive a request like this, please don’t answer and call us directly to check. 

If you have provided any payment details to a page posing as Contact Energy please contact your bank directly and contact CERT NZ to report the page details.    

Fake discounts being offered (Nov 2024) 

Scammers pretending to be from power and broadband comparison websites are offering "discounts" on your utility bills if you pay them a smaller amount upfront. This can sound tempting as they promise to pay the rest, but unfortunately, they don't. This leaves you responsible for the full bill. Please be careful and hang up immediately if you get a call like this. 

Fake SMS text message

You may have received an SMS text message advising we've been unable to take payment for your latest bill, and providing a link to click to add your updated payment information to avoid fees.

These SMS text messages are NOT sent by or on behalf of Contact and are a scam. If you have received something like this, delete the SMS immediately and contact CERT NZ.

If you have received this SMS and clicked the link or supplied any financial information please contact your bank directly.

Fake email survey

You may have received an email advising you to complete a survey to receive or redeem a free gift. The rewards include various expensive beauty products and nutritional supplements, and ask for personal information and card details to pay for shipping.

These emails are NOT sent by or on behalf of Contact and are a scam. If you have received something like this, delete the email immediately and contact CERT NZ.

It has also been reported that a fake email survey is circulating claiming to be from Contact stating “Here’s why we appreciate you” – this is NOT an email generated by Contact and it should be ignored or deleted. If you have supplied any financial information please contact your bank directly.

A call from Microsoft Helpdesk

We have also been informed of customers receiving calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Helpdesk. This is a well known scam where the caller claims to be reporting a problem with your computer and request remote access.

If in doubt, just hang up and contact CERT NZ.

If you have received threatening messages or phone calls, then call the Police immediately.