Safety Centre.

Scams usually feel urgent, secret, or too good to be true. Watch for pressure to act fast, surprise prizes or inheritances, requests to keep something quiet from family, or strangers offering investment tips. If a message makes your stomach drop, slow down and talk to someone you trust before you do anything.

Senior Moments will never ask you for your bank details, password, two-factor code, or money. We will never ask you to buy gift cards, send crypto, or move a conversation to WhatsApp, Messenger, email, or text. If you receive a message claiming to be from us asking for any of these, it is not us, please report it.

We do not offer private messaging or friend chat. Comments stay public so the whole community can see what is being said. Scammers prefer private channels because it lets them isolate people. Keeping conversations in the open is one of the simplest ways to protect each other.

Do not send anything. Do not share bank details, gift card codes, or verification numbers. Take a screenshot, then use the flag button on their post or profile to report them. If you have already sent money, contact your bank straight away and report it to the NZ Police via 105.

This is one of the most common warning signs. Genuine members are happy to chat in public comments. If someone insists on moving the conversation off Senior Moments, please report them, even if they seem friendly. Our comment system blocks phone numbers, emails, and links to help with this.

Tap the three-dot menu on any post, or the flag icon on a comment, and choose a reason such as 'This looks like a scam' or 'They asked me for money'. Reports are anonymous to the other person. Our team checks reports regularly.

Netsafe (netsafe.org.nz) gives free, confidential advice on online safety. You can call them on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723), 9am–5pm weekdays. Own Your Online (ownyouronline.govt.nz) has straightforward guides on common scams. The National Cyber Security Centre (ncsc.govt.nz/report) is where to report serious incidents. In an emergency, call 111.

1. Stop sending money or information immediately, even if they pressure you. 2. Call your bank straight away, most banks have a 24/7 fraud line on the back of your card. Ask them to freeze the transfer and your card. 3. Change the password on any account they may have accessed (start with your email). 4. Report it to the NZ Police on 105 (or 111 if you are in danger), and to Netsafe on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723). 5. Tell someone you trust, a family member, friend, or your GP. You are not the first person this has happened to, and it is not your fault. Keep any messages, emails, screenshots, and bank records, they help the bank and the police.