Looking after your Snapper means looking after your cash.
Find out more about protecting the money on your Snapper, as well as how to keep your Snapper happy.
On this page:
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How safe is Snapper?
To keep the money on your Snapper safe, make sure you register it. This protects the balance on your card, making it safer than cash. It's safer than cash because if you lose cash, you can't get it back...
To register your Snapper, you need to have a Snapper account. If you don't already have one, you can set up a Snapper account up now (it's free), and register your Snapper whilst you're here. If you already have a Snapper account, you can go right ahead and register your Snapper now.
Once you've registered your Snapper, your balance is protected if your Snapper is ever lost or stolen. If you do lose it, call our Helpdesk on 0800 555 345 and let us know. We'll put a block on the card so that no one else can use it.
After three working days we'll arrange to transfer your Snapper balance to a replacement Snapper (you'll need to pay for the replacement Snapper).
If you don't register your Snapper and you lose it, then there's nothing we can do, so make sure you register your Snapper as soon as you can.
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How is my privacy protected?
It is your choice whether you register your Snapper or not.
You can buy your Snapper from a Snapper retailer and top it up at a Snapper retailer or Snapper kiosk without handing over any personal information of any kind.
However, an unregistered Snapper is not protected if you lose it or it is stolen, and you will not be able to top up online or view your transaction history.
If you do choose to register your Snapper (and we recommend that you do), then your information is maintained securely by Snapper and only used to allow you to top up, view your transactions and in case your card is ever lost or stolen.
When you register your Snapper, we will ask you if you want to receive Snapper newsletters and newsflashes so that we can keep you informed of new Snapper products and services, and let you know about our Snapper competitions, promotions, and exclusive Snapper retail deals. If you don't wish to receive these, we won't make you, and if you change your mind, you can subscribe or unsubscribe at any time.
- Have a Snapper account already? Register your Snapper now.
- Don't have a Snapper account yet? Set one up now and register your Snapper at the same time.
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What do I do if my Snapper is lost or stolen?
If your Snapper is lost or stolen and you have registered it, then just call our Helpdesk on 0800 555 345 and let us know.
We'll put a block on your Snapper so that no one else can use it. After three working days we'll arrange to transfer your balance to a replacement Snapper. You'll need to pay for the replacement Snapper.
- Have a Snapper account already? Register your Snapper now.
- Don't have a Snapper account yet? Set one up now and register your Snapper at the same time.
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What's the best way to take care of a Snapper?
A Snapper is a small, mobile, self-powered computer. The "smart" part of the Snapper smartcard is made of a small smartchip and an antenna.
When you touch your Snapper to the Snapper reader in a retailer or on a bus, ferry or taxi, it actually receives power from the reader, exchanges information via hundreds of processes in less than half a second, and then powers down again. So your Snapper does need to be looked after.
Avoid keeping it in a back pocket, where it could get bent or break.
Avoid washing it, chewing it, bending it and definitely don't punch holes in it.
If you need a Snapper to fit on a keyring then check out the Snapper Mini or Snapper Sprat.
A Snapper Holder helps protect your Snapper from wear and tear, and a Snapper Lanyard keeps it handy.
Grab a sturdy Snapper USB or even a Snapper Sprat - our toughest Snapper yet!
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Can I punch a hole in my Snapper?
Snapper cards can do some very advanced stuff, and they are built differently to simple cards with magnetic stripes (the black stripe seen on the back of most EFTPOS and credit cards). A Snapper card contains a small smartchip - if you look carefully you can see a small indentation near the bottom corner where this is located on a Snapper card.
A Snapper also includes an antenna/power loop, which is invisible from the outside.
With all of this technology going on inside you definitely shouldn't punch holes in your Snapper. If you do punch a hole through the card, there's a very good chance that you'll break or damage the antenna, even if you don't puncture it directly.
The result will be that your Snapper will no longer work as the Snapper reader will not be able to detect the card or provide power to the chip.
If you really want to hang your Snapper, then check out Snapper for your keyring and the Snapper accessories for some handy solutions - all of which are available from the Snapper store.
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What happens if I break my Snapper?
If you do find that your Snapper has been damaged or is faulty, then give the Snapper Helpdesk a call on 0800 555 345 and they'll diagnose the problem and help you get a replacement.
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Finding a Snapper number
Every Snapper has its very own unique 16 digit serial number (just like a credit card). This is the number that all your transactions are tracked against within the Snapper system. You may need to provide your Snapper serial number on the Snapper website or to the Snapper Helpdesk to prove you are the cardholder, or to enter a Snapper competition. It's easy to find the serial number on your Snapper, here's how:
Classic Snapper Red or Snapper Green
Etched in gold on the back on the card, beneath the Snapper fish logo. The serial number is the 16 digits when reading from left to right. The other 6 digits are the date (year/month) when the Snapper was manufactured.
Snapper USB
Printed in grey on the back of the USB (that's the side with the gold USB contact points). The serial number is the 16 digits when reading from left to right. The other 6 digits are the date (year/month) when the Snapper was manufactured.
Snapper Mini or Snapper Mini.Jr
Etched in gold on the back on the card, to the left of the hole in the card. The serial number is the 16 digits when reading from left to right. The other 6 digits are the date (year/month) when the Snapper was manufactured.
Snapper Sprat
Printed on the back of the Sprat (that's the opposite side to the "I Snapper NZ" logo). The serial number is the 16 digits when reading from left to right. The other 4 digits are the date (year/month) when the Snapper was manufactured.