Insurance Fraud Bureau New Zealand

03/06/2026

This is what insurance fraud can look like at its most extreme.

Authorities in Nepal are investigating a $35m scheme involving alleged fake mountain rescues on Everest, where climbers were reportedly poisoned to trigger costly emergency evacuations. Fraud isn’t always small or harmless. It can be organised, deliberate, and dangerous.

Kia tika te mahi / do the right thing! If something doesn’t feel right, report it confidentially.

Read more about the fraud case here: https://ifb.org.nz/news/35m-scam-everest-guides-accused-of-poisoning-climbers-to-force-fake-rescues/

25/05/2026

Do you know there are two types of insurance fraud? Soft and hard fraud.

Soft fraud often happens when someone is given an opportunity through circumstance or chance, like exaggerating a claim or adding items that weren’t lost.

Hard fraud is planned. It includes staged events or deliberate damage to get a payout.

Both are illegal and drive up premiums for everyone.

Unsure where the line is? Kia takatū (be prepared)
Learn the difference and protect yourself: https://ifb.org.nz/what-is-fraud/types-of-fraud

20/05/2026

Winter is on the way!

When winter storms hit, one of the biggest challenges is working out what damage is new, and what was already there (and that is where disputes can start).

Our latest blog breaks down what “pre-existing damage” looks like, why it matters, and how to avoid accidently committing insurance fraud. Kia tika te mahi / do the right thing.

Read it here: https://ifb.org.nz/categories/blog/

10/05/2026

It’s Privacy Week. Is your personal information protected? Keeping your data safe isn’t only about avoiding inconvenience. It helps stop insurance fraud.

Simple steps to secure your data:
- Use strong passwords
- Watch for phishing emails
- Check your statements regularly
- Shred sensitive documents

Kia mataara, staying vigilant protects you and helps keep premiums fair for everyone.

Help protect not only yourself but also the wider insurance system.

Kia tika te mahi! Do the right thing and report fraud at: https://ifb.org.nz/report-fraud/

03/05/2026

It’s NZ Sign Language Week (4-10 May)!

At the IFB, we celebrate inclusion and champion clear communication. Clear information protects people. It also helps prevent insurance fraud. Fraud drives up premiums and affects all New Zealanders. Honest communication matters, in every language and every community.

Let’s stand together to protect what’s fair. Kia tika te mahi! Do the right thing. Report fraud confidentially: www.ifb.org.nz/report-fraud

28/04/2026

Did you know insurance fraud, tinihanga inihua, costs New Zealanders nearly $1 billion each year?

That cost doesn’t just affect insurers. It increases premiums for everyone.

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) was created to change that. We educate, detect, and work across agencies to reduce fraud and protect honest Kiwis. We also provide a safe place to report concerns and help strengthen trust in the system.

Want to understand how we’re making a difference?

Pānui tonu ki konei. Read more here: https://ifb.org.nz/about-the-ifb/what-we-do/

22/04/2026

Think “bending the rules” is harmless? There’s a clear line between a genuine claim and fraud.

Adding items that weren’t lost, exaggerating damage, or claiming for something that didn’t happen isn’t clever. It’s fraud. And it has consequences.

Fraud makes insurance more expensive and less fair for everyone.

Seen something that doesn’t feel right? Kia tika te mahi! Do the right thing.

Report suspected fraud at: https://ifb.org.nz/report-fraud/

Want to learn more about what is myth and what is reality? Read our latest blog here: https://ifb.org.nz/categories/blog/

17/04/2026

Wild weather is hitting Aotearoa harder and more often, and while most claims are 100% genuine, extreme events can also create openings for insurance fraud (inflated damage, “storm upgrades”, dodgy invoices, or claiming pre-existing damage as new).

In our latest blog, we break down what counts as fraud, why it spikes after floods and storms, and why it matters to everyone: fraud is estimated to cost insurers up to 10% of gross written premiums each year, that's around around $995m. That pressure can mean higher premiums, slower claims, and tighter requirements for the rest of us.

Read our blog now: https://ifb.org.nz/blog/climate-change-wild-weather-and-the-rise-of-insurance-fraud-in-new-zealand/

Find our latest media releases, publications and other resources about insurance fraud.

07/04/2026

Fraud drives up premiums for honest Kiwis and weakens trust in our communities.

We're soon to release new survey data, when we checked in last year the data showed many New Zealanders believe exaggerated claims, misinformation, and staged incidents are common. Even small dishonest claims can have real consequences for everyone.

Insurance works when people do the right thing.

Learn how fraud affects communities and what you can do to help stop it: https://ifb.org.nz/blog/why-insurance-fraud-is-not-a-victimless-crime-the-broader-impact-on-communities/

Why Insurance Fraud is Not a Victimless Crime: The Broader Impact on Communities Many people assume that insurance fraud is a minor offense, affecting only large insurance companies. However, the reality is that insurance fraud has a significant and far-reaching impact on everyday New Zealanders. Fr...

31/03/2026

🐣🌼 Happy Easter from the Insurance Fraud Bureau!

As many Kiwis head away for the long weekend, we hope you get the chance to relax, spend time with whānau, and enjoy a well-earned break.

As ever, we want to keep insurance affordable and fair for everyone, so if you see insurance fraud remember to report it anonymously: https://ifb.org.nz/report-fraud/

Enjoy the long weekend, stay safe on the roads, and help keep our insurance system fair for all.