'Baytree' scam: Kiwis reporting hundreds of dollars withdrawn from bank accounts

Concerned Kiwis have taken to Reddit looking for answers after noticing hundreds of dollars withdrawn from their accounts over the weekend.

A Reddit post from a BNZ customer claims two payments of $776.41 - totalling $1,552.82 - were taken from their account by a business under the name Baytree.

“Unfortunately, I have had money taken from my bank account this weekend,” they wrote. “I believe it was using my debit card details. It's not my physical card, as I still have it.”

“I have no idea who that is; I certainly didn't make any payments of the sort.”

After contacting BNZ, the poster said they had been told they weren’t the only ones affected.

“Others had that exact same amount taken from their account by an entity that shows up on the statement as Baytree… Please check your account, especially if with BNZ, and if this has happened to you, contact the bank immediately.”

In a later update, the poster added that other banks may also have been targeted. “Some of the comments indicate that it wasn't just BNZ accounts that were targeted this weekend. A few others of different banks were also hit.”

Commenters under the thread have reported the same funds being taken from their accounts.

“Snap, same here,” one person wrote. “Baytree nearly 800 dollars. I wasn't even in NZ, and my card was at home. Really need the money reversed ASAP, hoping it doesn't take too long.”

“Just checked -$776.41 seems about right,” said another.

“I got the same issue,” a third wrote. “Baytree tried to spend $800 CAD last Wednesday. It was declined by ANZ detected as fraud; they texted me asking me if I made the transaction. I said no, and they cancelled my card. Seems like ANZ's automated fraud detection is quite good.”

Since word spread on the suspected scam, The Bay Tree café in Auckland’s Remuera and St Heliers quickly put out a PSA banner on their website to alert Kiwis that they are not involved, despite having the same business name.

PSA – SCAM ALERT! SOMEONE IS IMPERSONATING US & USING THE NAME BAYTREE. THIS IS NOT US! OUR NAME IS THE BAY TREE OF REMUERA, NOT BAYTREE. IF YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED, REPORT IT TO YOUR BANK IMMEDIATELY!

While it’s unfortunate that the NZ café shares the same name, Reddit users suspect the scam may actually be connected to an online gambling company also called Baytree.

“Baytree is the parent company of those online casino apps we get ads for, most of which are scams, and this is what it looks like,” one user wrote.

“When I deposit money on the pokies, it shows as Baytree. Quite a few different sites come under the Baytree umbrella,” added another.

Rova has reached out to BNZ for comment. 

In the meantime, it might be worth checking your bank statements for any unknown withdrawals.