New Zealand big four bank BNZ is rolling out a new anti-scam and anti-fraud feature that enables customers to promptly self-disable all online banking activity and lock access to their online banking.

The ‘online banking lock’, available within the BNZ app, will enable customers to quickly lock their accounts if they suspect a scammer has gained access.

Once activated, the lock disables all current internet banking and BNZ mobile account activity and locks all access.

To prevent scammers from regaining access, customers will need to verify their identity at a BNZ branch to regain access to their accounts.

BNZ confirmed that customers will still be able to use their cards online, in-store and at ATMs while their account is locked – unless they have chosen to also block their card.

To prevent further disruption, scheduled payments, like rent or mortgage payments, will continue to go out as scheduled.

BNZ’s head of financial crime Ashley Kai Fong said the bank is “continually looking for new ways to enhance protection for customers and combat criminal scammers”.

“While there is no silver bullet in the fight against scammers, this is another tool in the anti-scam and fraud toolbox to help protect our customers,” he said.