Each year, Privacy Week reminds us all of the critical importance of safeguarding personal information. At the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), we know that protecting your privacy is not just about avoiding inconvenience — it is a key part of the fight against insurance fraud.
The Link Between Privacy and Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. Fraudsters use stolen personal data to lodge false claims, create fake policies, or hijack legitimate accounts. Every fraudulent claim drives up insurance costs for honest New Zealanders, meaning we all pay the price through higher premiums.
Data breaches, phishing scams, and social engineering attacks are some of the key tools fraudsters use to gather the sensitive information they need. A compromised email account or leaked identification number can open the door for criminals to impersonate you and exploit the insurance system.
As reported by Stuff (March 2025), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recorded its highest number of high-loss incidents ever in the last quarter of 2024, according to its Cyber Security Insights report. New Zealanders lost $6.8 million to cyber crime in just three months — a 24% rise from $5.5 million the previous quarter. In the article, NCSC’s Threat and Incident Response team lead, Tom Roberts, stated that 17 incidents involved losses over $100,000, with 15 victims being individuals and two being businesses. Roberts noted these incidents ranged from cyber attacks on personal devices to cyber-enabled scams. This sharp increase highlights how privacy breaches can expose people to further crimes, including insurance fraud, as stolen personal data is often reused to hijack accounts and lodge false claims.
How the IFB Protects Your Privacy
The Insurance Fraud Bureau takes the confidentiality of all reports seriously. When you provide information about suspected fraud, we handle your report securely and discreetly. You can report concerns anonymously or provide your details knowing they will be protected under strict privacy protocols.
This Privacy Week, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping your data safe, so that you can help us maintain the integrity of New Zealand’s insurance sector without fear.
How You Can Protect Yourself
To reduce your risk of becoming a victim of insurance fraud, the Privacy Commission urges us all to take these simple privacy steps:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, especially email and insurance portals.
- Be cautious of phishing emails and suspicious links asking for sensitive details.
- Regularly review your insurance statements to spot any unfamiliar activity or changes.
- Shred or securely dispose of paper documents containing insurance or financial information.
By staying vigilant, you help protect not only yourself but also the wider insurance system.
Together, We Can Fight Fraud
Privacy and fraud prevention go hand in hand. When you safeguard your information and report suspicious activity, you strengthen the defences against those who seek to cheat the system. If you would like to find out more about Privacy Week or attend Privacy Webinars you’ll find information here: https://www.privacy.org.nz/news/events/privacy-week/
If you suspect insurance fraud, report it confidentially today: https://ifb.org.nz/report-fraud/
Let’s work together to keep Aotearoa’s insurance fair and honest for everyone.