About scams

Protecting your information and financial security is important. While safeguards are in place, scams can still happen — sometimes involving people impersonating trusted organisations, including insurers. This page outlines common scams affecting insurance customers, including some that have targeted AA Insurance customers. Understanding how these scams work can help you recognise them and know what to do.

Recent scams targeting AA Insurance customers

An offer to pay your policies at a discount

In this scenario, a customer received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the AA Insurance Credit Department, stating that a policy payment had been disputed. The caller offered to pay the customer’s insurance policy in full and asked the customer to repay them only part of the amount (for example, 50%). The aim is to convince the customer to transfer money directly to the fraudster. AA Insurance will never offer to pay your policies on your behalf or ask you to repay someone personally for your insurance costs.

‘Get a free dashcam’ scam

An email circulated that promoted an exclusive partnership between AA Insurance and Garmin, offering a free dashcam camera after completing a short survey. The aim was to get customers to click the link and share personal or other information. This email did not come from AA Insurance or Garmin, and AA Insurance is not running a dashcam giveaway.

Pay an excess to start your claim

Scammers claiming to be AA Insurance representatives called or visited customers, asking them to pay an excess to start a claim. If you need to pay an excess, we have strict verification processes in place before discussing your claim or taking any payment. It should never come as a surprise or an urgent, unexpected request. And you should never make a payment to a personal bank account. In many cases, if you’re receiving a cash settlement, the excess is deducted from the settlement rather than paid separately. If you’re unsure about a request, get in touch with us to verify it.

Messages asking you to click a link or fix a payment issue

Be cautious of text messages stating there’s a problem with your AA Insurance policy or payment and asking you to click a link to resolve it. If the message looks suspicious or unexpected, treat it with caution. The links often lead to fake websites designed to capture your details. We don’t send texts to our customers with links requesting payments. Here’s how to make an AA Insurance premium payment. If an excess payment is needed, you’ll be given complete instructions from your Customer Manager once your claim is lodged.

Remote access scam

In this scenario, a scammer may contact you claiming to be from AA Insurance saying they need to help you process your claim. They may ask you to install remote access software such as TeamViewer, AnyDesk, RustDesk, or Quick Assist so they can “assist” you. The aim is to gain access to your computer or device and sensitive information, which can then be used to commit fraud. AA Insurance will never ask you to install remote access software on your computer or device to process a claim, payment, or refund. If you receive a request like this, treat it as suspicious. If needed, call us directly to verify it.

Other calls or messages impersonating AA Insurance

Scammers may pose as AA Insurance staff and sound professional or knowledgeable. In some cases, the caller ID may even appear to show ‘AA Insurance’. Caller ID and message details can be spoofed and shouldn’t be relied on to confirm who’s contacting you. If you’re unsure who’s calling, hang up and call us at 0800 500 213 to confirm.

Protect yourself

Don’t rush — scammers rely on urgency to get you to act quickly which can lead to mistakes. We recommend you take as much time as you need to verify the call, text or email.

Don’t click links in unexpected emails or messages.

Never transfer money to someone offering to pay your premium for you – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Don’t rely on caller ID alone.

Be cautious about providing full card details over the phone or by message – be sure you know who you’re speaking with.

Never share one-time passcodes, authentication codes, verification codes, or SMS login codes with anyone, not even AA Insurance.

If you’re unsure, visit our Help Centre to check our official AA Insurance email addresses and phone numbers, or call us on 0800 500 213.

If you suspect fraud or think you’ve been scammed

Contact your bank immediately

If money has been transferred or payment details shared, call your bank as soon as possible to secure your accounts.

Report it

Depending on the type of scam you’re faced with, there are a number of government organisations that play a part in protecting New Zealanders:

Netsafe for online scams or fraud.
Financial Markets Authority for investment or financial scams.
The National Cyber Security Centre for cybersecurity threats like unauthorised access to emails or devices.
The Department of Internal Affairs for text or email scams.
The NZ Police if you’ve lost money in a scam or you’re in immediate danger.

Secure your accounts

Change any affected passwords.
Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
Be cautious of follow‑up contact offering to ‘recover’ your money.

Let us know

Reporting suspected AA Insurance scams helps us warn other customers and prevent further harm.

Let us know

Still unsure?

If you receive a call, message, or email claiming to be from AA Insurance and you’re not certain it’s legitimate, don’t answer, reply, open any attachments or click any links. Instead, give us a call on 0800 500 213 and we’ll confirm it for you.

Helpful tips

How we contact you

Check our official AA Insurance phone numbers and email addresses and learn how we may contact you about your policy, payments, or claim.

Find out more

More tips to protect yourself

Find more tips on how to recognise suspicious messages, stay safe online, and protect your personal and financial information.

Find out more

Report a scam

Let us know about suspected AA Insurance scams so we can investigate and help protect other customers.

Let us know