Around 8000 people have received erroneous text messages demanding $135 in fines following a systems error, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed.
Officials have apologised for the erroneous text sent out yesterday afternoon.
The text contained the words “Amount $135.00″, the ministry’s bank account details, a fines reference number, and the surname of the person receiving the text message.
The ministry’s national service delivery group manager Tracey Baguley said “some people would have received the same message up to eight times”.
“We sometimes send text messages to people who owe fines. In this case, a system error meant a message went to approximately 8000 people.”
She said anyone who paid money they did not owe would be refunded.
Baguley said: “We want to apologise for any confusion or distress this has caused. We also want to reassure people that their personal information has not been shared, and that the issue has been resolved.
“Anyone who received the text message on Monday can delete it.
“If they are unsure what to do they can also call our contact centre on 0800 434 637.”
The Ministry of Justice collected payment for both court fines and infringement fines, such as police speeding tickets and council parking violations, when they weren’t paid on time.
