Ministry of Justice

What real Ministry of Justice messages look like

• The Ministry says it does not send payment links in its texts or emails about fines
• Genuine automated emails always include: your name or business name, the 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) phone number, a 10-digit reference number (called a PPN), and a PDF attachment
• Genuine automated texts always include: your first name, the 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) number, and a 10-digit PPN
• Genuine automated calls show the caller ID 0800 434 637, offer to put you through to staff, and leave a voicemail asking you to call 0800 434 637 if unanswered
• The Ministry states that if an automated call, email or text is missing this information, it is not from the Ministry of Justice
• The Ministry's automated emails and texts never include website links to copy into your browser, never ask for your internet banking password or PIN, never ask you to pay with iTunes cards or cryptocurrency, and never ask you to install software to "help you" pay. Its automated calls never ask for personal or banking information
• Not sure about a message? Call 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637), Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm, before clicking any link or paying. For Civil Enforcement call 0800 233 222

Common spoof patterns

• "Unpaid fine" or "overdue fine" texts and emails with a payment link and a deadline, which the Ministry says it does not send
• Messages that leave out the PPN, your name or the 0800 4 FINES number, or that arrive with no PDF attachment
• Demands to pay by iTunes gift card or cryptocurrency
• Requests for your internet banking password or PIN, or to install software so someone can "help" you pay
• Automated calls that ask for personal or banking details, or that transfer you without you asking

Note for NZ organisations

Fines, reparation and court-debt notices reach businesses as well as individuals, including company vehicle infringements, so a staff member who deals with the post or accounts may be sent one. Fake notices work because the amounts are small and the threat of enforcement feels real. The Ministry has also admitted that some of its own automated texts sent before 31 March 2026 may have included payment links, which scammers can lean on to make a fake look familiar. So go by what the Ministry's current guidance says genuine messages contain, and if any element is missing, call the number on justice.govt.nz instead of acting on the message.