Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today issued an urgent warning about a statewide scam where telephone callers, claiming endorsement from NSW Fair Trading, offer to arrange reimbursement of overcharged bank fees.

Ms Judge said consumers in metropolitan and regional NSW should be on alert for the scam and refrain from providing bank details or making any payment.

“These kinds of scams are not confined to one geographical area,” Ms Judge said.

“Fair Trading has received reports in the past week from residents in Orange and Bathurst about this scam.

Similar reports were received from consumers in Dubbo, on the mid North Coast and the South Coast late last year.

“The caller claims to be a ‘reclaim expert’ contracted by Fair Trading to retrieve overpaid bank fees and either seeks bank account details or requests payment via a Western Union account,” Ms Judge said.

“It is a hoax and the caller has no connection with Fair Trading.

“Scammers will target residents indiscriminately, so everyone needs to be wary.”

Ms Judge said scammers traded in deception and urged people to warn their elderly family members, friends and neighbours about the scam.

“Fortunately, the consumers who reported the latest calls sought advice and avoided being scammed,” she said.

“However, for every complaint received by Fair Trading, you can safely assume there are others out there getting taken in and taken for their money.

“Often victims are embarrassed to report they have been scammed.

Ms Judge said residents should beware of similar calls and offers and if in doubt call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for advice.

Anyone who has already made payments should notify NSW Police.

Back to Media releases

Top of page