It’s Fraud Awareness Week, and at One New Zealand we’re reemphasising our commitment to keep our customers, whānau and communities safe from scammers. As fraud tactics continue to evolve, so do the tools we use to stop them—combining people power with smart #AI technology to stay one step ahead.

Between April and September this year alone, One NZ blocked 3.7 million scam calls. That’s millions of dodgy attempts shut down before they ever reached a Kiwi phone. Every one of those blocked calls represents time saved, stress avoided, and a family, business or individual customer protected from potential harm.

Using AI to detect threats before they hit your phone
Scammers are getting more sophisticated—using spoofing, deepfakes, and increasingly personalised methods to trick people. That’s why we’re investing in advanced AI systems that analyse calling patterns in real time and automatically shut down suspicious activity before it can cause damage.

This includes:

• Real-time detection of unusual calling behaviour
• Smarter filtering to prevent scam calls from ever reaching customers
• Rapid response models that adapt as fraud tactics change
• Collaborative intel sharing with industry partners and government to strengthen protection across Aotearoa

Our goal is simple: keep New Zealanders connected without the worry.

But tech is only one part of the picture
Fraud is constantly evolving, and even with strong protections in place, scammers can still find ways to target people directly. That’s where awareness and trust come in.

If something feels off – a strange message, an unexpected call, or someone asking for urgent personal information – trust your instincts and check it out. Hang up, pause, and contact the company directly via official channels.

We’d far rather you double-check a genuine call than take a risk with a fraudulent one.

Looking after each other this Fraud Awareness Week
Fraud Awareness Week is a reminder that protecting Aotearoa from scams is a team effort. At One NZ, we’re committed to doing our part—leveraging AI, strengthening our networks, and supporting customers with the knowledge they need to stay safe.

Because when we look out for each other, we make it harder for scammers to get through.

Because you're with One NZ, we want to ensure fewer scam texts reach you.

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