Coasties are rethinking how they click and share online as fears about AI scams grow.

New BNZ research shows three in five New Zealanders now check communications and links more carefully, with more than half limiting what they post and half fact-checking news to avoid fake news scams.

BNZ Head of Fraud Operations Margaret Miller says AI is making scams more personalised and convincing, from phishing emails and fake websites to deepfake videos and cloned voices that sound like people you know.

AI-powered phishing tops the worry list for 64% of respondents, followed by deepfakes at 58% and voice cloning at 53%.

Deepfakes are realistic but fake images or videos, while voice cloning uses AI to mimic someone’s voice.

Some Kiwis are responding in a very practical way, with 7% setting up family safe words so they can confirm who is really behind a sudden request for money or help.

Coasties can expect more scam attempts on social media, which now accounts for 26% of scam approaches, ahead of email at 22% and well down from 40% in 2023.

Overall targeting has dipped from 88% in 2023 to 84% this year, but tactics are shifting.

BNZ is adding extra layers of security, including small pauses and changed button placement in its app to help people slow down, plus an online banking lock that lets customers quickly shut off digital access if they are worried.

Miller says everyone has a role to play, and simple habits like taking time to verify unexpected requests, keeping software updated, never sharing banking details, and calling your bank if something feels wrong can make a real difference for Hibiscus Coast households.

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