The Ministry of Justice has issued an apology following the accidental sending of a text message regarding fines to approximately 8,000 people.
On Monday afternoon, the texts were sent and included the phrase “Amount $135.00,” the ministry’s bank account information, a fines reference number, and the recipient’s surname.
Officials explained that the message was sent due to a system error and clarified that no action is required from those who received the text.
“We sometimes send text messages to people who owe fines. In this case a system error meant a message went to approximately 8000 people,” Tracey Baguely, the ministry’s group manager, National Service Delivery, said.
“Some people would have received the same message up to eight times.”
Baguely said individuals’ personal information had not been disclosed and that the issue has now been resolved.
Anyone who made a payment while they were not obligated to will be reimbursed.
Although the text could be deleted, anyone uncertain about what to do was advised to call the contact centre at 0800 434 637 (0800 4 FINES).