The Department of Commerce’s Consumer Protection division warns consumers against phone scammers posing as Federal Government employees offering a rebate or refund of overcharged fees. The scam callers ask consumers to pay hundreds of dollars in order to get back money supposedly owed to them. This scam is similar to previous scams offering to help consumers reclaim bank fees, obtain Australian Tax Office refunds or other Government rebates, in return for up-front fees.

Consumers are advised to:

• NEVER confirm or provide personal details, credit card numbers or other account information over the phone unless they initiated the call and can verify the purpose for providing that information.
• NOT pay up-front fees to receive money in return.

For more information, please see http://www.scamnet.wa.gov.au/scamnet/Types_Of_Scams-Phone_Scams-Phone_scammers_pose_as_Federal_Government_employees.htm