One New Zealand strengthens scam protections

One New Zealand has today announced it has added a new layer of scam prevention to its mobile network with the introduction of an SMS firewall designed to block malicious and fraudulent text messages originating from its network.

Since enabling the new SMS firewall last month, the tool has identified thousands of scam messages targeting customers. In almost all cases these were blocked prior to delivery, meaning the customers never even received them on their phones. The firewall blocks common high harm scams that impersonate organisations and people including banks, delivery services and 'Hi Mum' messages.

Risk and Compliance Manager, Jack Tye says this investment is one in a long history of One NZ protecting its customers online: "In 2023 we were the first telco to switch on the Malware Free Networks service, thwarting millions of phishing scams and threat attempts at a network level. Since then, we've worked hard to keep Kiwis safer online with our round the clock network monitoring, spotting and disrupting attempts to defraud our customers. With the introduction of an SMS firewall, we're now taking things to the next level, allowing more intelligent and robust protection that can be better automated to stay one step ahead of would-be scammers."

Combatting a growing issue

With Kiwis losing $265 million to fraud in the last 12 months alone, One NZ has been working to enhance its customers safety while online.

"Unfortunately, fraud is attempted across our channels on a daily basis, whether targeting our customers directly through SMS scams and fraudulent SIM swap activity, or targeting One NZ through fraudulent orders".

One NZ has deployed robust biometric security during the order process for a new phone, to protect customers from identity theft. Through advanced facial recognition technology, the system matches the customer's live image with the photo on their provided identity document. The entire process typically only takes a couple of minutes.

"Biometric verification is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance customer protection and maintain a safe business environment and to combat the growing issue of online fraud. Since we put this technology in place 12 months ago, we've protected customers by preventing thousands of identity documents from being misused through our biometric security tool."

Stay vigilant

One New Zealand continues to advance its protections for customers, but security begins with the individual.

"Criminals are unfortunately persistent in looking for ways to take advantage of customers. The most important thing you can do is apply caution before you visit any website through a text message. As we like to say, think, don't click the link."

For more information and to report a scam visit: How to deal with hoax TXT messages and keep safe. One NZ.