Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin today warned the public about scam callers alleging to be from Fair Trading and requesting credit card details to renew a business name.

Mr Griffin said Fair Trading had today been alerted to the scam by a business owner in Kyogle.

“The business owner took a call yesterday from a woman claiming to be from Fair Trading, telling her that her business name was overdue for renewal,” he said.

“The scammer then asked the business owner for her credit card details and said a payment would prevent the removal of the business name.”

Mr Griffin said the scam savvy business owner became suspicious, checked the Business Name Certificate and found it did not expire until 2012.

“The business owner has reported that the scammer cited details of the business name registration in 2009  and claimed Fair Trading had sent them a renewal letter in November last year,” he said.

“Business name registration lasts for three years.”

Mr Griffin said scammers were operating in the hope that business people will not do the appropriate checks.

“Fair Trading does not call people in this manner,” he said.

“Fair Trading will send a renewal notice to the nominated proprietor of a business at the address provided for service of notices, prior to expiry of the registration.”

Mr Griffin urged business owners across NSW to hang up on any such callers and report the incident to Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

“If possible, get the phone number of the caller, via caller id and any other details,” he said.

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