Authorities have warned residents in areas affected by bushfires of scammers targeting people whose properties are at risk.
Reports have been made of scammers posing as staff from an insurance firm, selling "top-up insurance" before the fire reaches properties.
The scam reports come as firefighters battle out-of-control bushfires near Braidwood and on the South Coast.
In a social media post, the Hoskingtown-Rossi Rural Fire Brigade, who have been fighting the North Black Range fire, said they had heard multiple reports of the insurance scam cold calling and door knocking residents.
"There are also the usual scams collecting for charity or the fire brigade," the post said.
"If you want to make a donation, please do so through the regular channels."
Residents are being encouraged to report scammers to police and to NSW Fair Trading if they come across them.
NSW Fair Trading regional coordinator south Kim Jenkins said insurance-style scams increase during natural disasters like bushfires.
"During these events people are at their most vulnerable and unfortunately that's when scammers move in and work on people's emotions," Ms Jenkins said,
"What we've been seeing is people selling top-ups of insurance before the fire reaches houses. There are times people hand over their bank details to people in the right circumstances.
"If someone does come to your door and ask questions about insurance and your gut instinct tells you something doesn't seem right, it usually isn't."
READ MORE:
- South Coast fires in pictures
- Bawley Point firefighter saved mate from raging fire
- North Black Range fire could escape containment lines
- Rattenbury defending holiday homes from South Coast fire
Ms Jenkins said there were many ways to potentially identify scammers preying on bushfire victims.
"They usually use technical jargon and have glossy brochures and often try to show a website that may not be real," she said.
"If someone says they're from an insurance company, check independently if they have people in the area.
"It can be hard at a time when emotions are high and there's smoke hanging about and the threat is real but it could be worse if you hand over your bank details to others."
