As one of New Zealand’s most popular providers of independent online financial guides and resources, the MoneyHub team has considerable expertise in the products and services many of us rely on. And they’re not always fans.

After years of frustration watching hidden fees, misleading products, and a rising tide of online scams quietly drain Kiwi bank accounts, MoneyHub has launched its inaugural Fleeced Kiwi Awards. Designed to be a hall of shame for the financial practices causing the most damage to our wallets, the awards also aim to empower consumers through awareness and pressure companies to clean up their act.

MoneyHub founder and head of research Christopher Walsh says: “The [Awards] are a call for change in a financial landscape riddled with traps and ripoffs. Since MoneyHub's inception, we've helped thousands make smarter money decisions, from choosing the best credit card to avoiding junk insurance. Now, with living costs squeezing every household, we can't ignore the insidious charges and scams…these are not mere inconveniences; they're obstacles to financial stability.”

The winners (losers?!) of The Fleeced Kiwi Awards 2025

1. Debit and credit card surcharges, and PayWave fees

Tapping or swiping your card shouldn’t come with a penalty, but many Kiwi businesses charge 1–3% for the privilege. Even debit cards, which cost businesses far less to process, aren’t spared and surcharges for the convenience of using PayWave are “a total rip-off, super annoying, and greedy,” according to Walsh.

While the Commerce Commission is looking into surcharges, nothing has changed yet. MoneyHub would like to see the practice banned completely and the fees companies pay to banks for accepting cards covered by the merchant rather than extracted from the customer as form of chargeback.

2. Extended warranties

Ever been upsold a $200 warranty on a $1,000 appliance? It’s pretty common, but often completely unnecessary. Many Kiwis are pressured into buying coverage they don’t need, despite already being protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).

According to the government’s consumer protection agency: "The [CGA] offers long-lasting guarantees on products and services bought for personal or household use in New Zealand. So in most circumstances, buying an extended warranty probably isn't worth the cost".

While you should read the fine print to check whether an extended warranty offers additional protection over and above the CGA, Walsh says usually “people are misled into thinking they’re buying peace of mind, when they’re just buying what they already have.”

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3. Ticketing Fees

If you’ve ever been to a concert or show, you’ve probably fallen victim to the dreaded “booking”, “infrastructure” and “service” fees from the likes of Ticketek and Ticketmaster. These hidden costs can add up to 8% or more to your ticket price (families can often spend an extra $50 on a four-ticket event) and often aren’t shown until the very end of the booking process.  

“Fans deserve transparent pricing for the events they love. These fees should be outlawed,” Walsh says.

4. ‘Admin fees’ on EV Road User Charges

Electric vehicle owners, trying to do the right thing by the planet, now face an extra $12.44 fee effectively just to print a road user charge (RUC) sticker, on top of the $76 cost for the RUC itself. Since EV owners pre-pay RUC in 1,000km increments, those who can’t afford to buy in bulk will incur the admin fee every time they top up.

Walsh calls this “a tax on a tax,” especially unfair in a cost-of-living crisis. “It’s a cash grab, not fairness,” he says, urging NZTA to modernise the process and ditch the admin fee.

5. Private ATM fees

Some ATMs charge $10 or more per withdrawal, with one Kapiti machine charging $10.50 to withdraw $30, which Walsh calls “simply outrageous”. With many bank-run ATMs disappearing, these fees disproportionately hit low-income Kiwis who pay expenses in cash and rural areas where cash access is limited.

"Accessing your own money shouldn't come with a hefty price tag," Walsh says. "Operators must lower fees and prioritise equitable access.”

6. Meta platforms (Facebook & Instagram)

Fake crypto ads, deepfake videos, phony giveaways and financial scams flood Meta’s platforms. According to a report by The Spinoff, up to 40% of scams originate on social media, with Kiwis losing anywhere from $200 million to a jaw-dropping $2.3 billion annually. Meta now verifies financial ads in Australia but has no plans to do the same here. Scam ads go unchecked, with banks reporting no response despite flagging fakes for months.

Walsh is blunt: “[We] deserve safe online spaces, not platforms profiting from [our] losses. Consumers face financial ruin if caught by these scam ads, with low-income and elderly users hit hardest by fraudulent investing, e-commerce and Marketplace scams. This is a huge problem”.

Why these things matters

This isn’t just about the occasional $2 surcharge or an annoying service fee. For many, these practices add up to real financial hardship.

“Families weighing groceries against a school trip shouldn’t be hit with surprise fees,” says Walsh. “Retirees shouldn’t lose their savings to scams Meta can’t be bothered to stop.”

He urges consumers to keep informed. “Financial literacy is a powerful tool. When consumers understand their rights, whether it’s CGA protections or spotting a scam, they can reclaim control.”

MoneyHub suggests:

• Checking your rights under the CGA before paying extra for a warranty.
• Using debit over credit to avoid higher surcharges.
• Reporting scam ads and demanding platforms verify advertisers.
• Saying no to businesses that hide surcharges.

Help shape the 2026 Awards

If you’ve spotted a dodgy fee, shady product, or just a plain old rip-off that deserves the  spotlight, MoneyHub wants to hear from you.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Nominate a 2026 candidate: Email MoneyHub with your tip-off.
• Use the hashtag #FleecedKiwiAwards to share stories on social media.
• Report rip-offs anonymously using MoneyHub’s secure form.

MoneyHub will review submissions monthly, with updates to be shared in mid-2026.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Lifetime.