Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is warning NSW consumers to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for scams as cheats, confidence tricksters and flim-flam artists continue to target homes across the state.

“Between January and August last year Fair Trading received 1019 scam reports. For the same period this year Fair Trading has received 2111 reports from consumers,” he said.

“Many of these are based overseas and appear to be using cheap labour to ‘personalise’ and expand their operations. Lismore, Grafton and Tweed Heads Fair Trading Centres have in the past week received calls from consumers targeted by scammers using the phone number 02 8006 9220. NSW Fair Trading is contacting Skype to have the number disconnected.

“One consumer was told they were entitled to a government rebate on their power and telephone bills, either direct to their bank account or by cheque. Another reported being told they were entitled to a refund of $5284 bank fees.

“Feedback from our Fair Trading staff and call centres indicates scammers have recently been targeting the Central Coast, Hunter and western New South Wales in particular,” the Minister warned. “Reports from the north of the state indicate the scammers had strong accents and told consumers they could call back for verification of offers to 02 8006 9220.

”One consumer called the number and was advised by another scammer, calling himself Nick Carter, that the government was processing rebates and the offer was genuine. The scammer then told the consumer if they wanted further confirmation, they could attend their own solicitor or a government funded one.

“The scammer asked the consumer to confirm their full name and date of birth, which the customer did. Worryingly, the scammers already knew the consumer’s address and the full name of their spouse.

“In a separate incident, a consumer was told they had been specially selected by the Australian Government, along with 17,000 others, to receive a refund of $5284 in bank fees.

“In order to receive this refund, they were told they had to complete a Western Union money transfer for $199 and phone 02 8006 9220 and quote reference number RS990 to advise the transfer had taken place. Then, they were told, they would receive their refunded bank fees.

The consumer received a return call from the scammers, asking why money had not been transferred.”

Mr Roberts said people should warn their family and friends, work colleagues and neighbours to beware of unsolicited approaches.

“What we are seeing is the combined threat of increasingly sophisticated scams, increasingly pushy scammers and increasing frequency of calls,” he said. “Be scam smart. Hang up, call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 and warn others.”

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