Legitimate businesses and private individuals are being warned that criminals could use their addresses to set up fake companies for fraudulent activities.
Forensic fraud investigator Alex Tan, from PricewaterhouseCoopers, says a well-known New Zealand organisation has had angry creditors banging on its doors after an alleged fraudster used its address.
The man had registered online and also listed a reputable overseas company as co-director, without that organisation's knowledge.
Mr Tan says New Zealand's reputation as an easy place to do business also means the system is open to abuse.
The Ministry of Economic Development admits there is no requirement to give proof of identity, but says it is illegal to lodge incorrect information on the register of companies.
New regulations for financial institutions are about to come into effect, though there are no plans for a requirement to prove directors of other companies are real people.
