Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin today issued an urgent warning to Bathurst consumers to avoid a scam where telephone callers, claiming endorsement from NSW Fair Trading, offer to reimburse overcharged bank fees.

“Fair Trading has received numerous reports this week from residents in Bathurst about the scam,” he said.

“I am urging affected people in Bathurst to contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 to report the scam or report in person at the Bathurst Fair Trading Centre at 154 Russell St.”

Mr Griffin said the callers claim to be ‘reclaim experts’ working with Fair Trading to reclaim overpaid bank fees and they ask for bank account details or confirmation of details.

“Of significant concern is that these scam callers now appear to have a lot of personal information about the people they are calling, including dates of birth, who people bank with and also, in some cases, account types and some numbers,” he said.

Mr Griffin said consumers should hang up if they receive such a call and under no circumstances provide or confirm bank details or make any payment.

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

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

Mr Griffin said the name ‘Thomas Wilson’ had again emerged.

“Fair Trading received reports about a ‘Thomas Wilson’ calling people mid last year, alleging he worked for Fair Trading and running a similar scam,” he said.

“No one by that name works for Fair Trading.”

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

“One consumer in Bathurst did provide their credit card details but has since cancelled their account,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Griffin said people should report any calls to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

Anyone who has already made payments should notify NSW Police.

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