CONMEN are believed to be working in the Tweed.

NSW Fair Trading received a report to the national travelling conmen hotline that bitumen bandits are operating in the area.

"The report describes three men, two in their early 20's and one in his late 40's or early 50's, with English and Irish accents," Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said in a warning to the public.

"Fair Trading has not identified the men at this stage, however, investigators strongly suspect the men may be associated with a larger, organised group of bitumen bandits who not only travel within Australia but also internationally."

If you have any information about the men should call the TCM hotline on 1300 133 408.

NSW Fair Trading has a number of ways to avoid being ripped off.

Mr Stowe said consumers should always ask traders for their contractor licences and check licence numbers on the Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

He said anyone contracting and carrying out residential building work, including residential driveways must hold a contractor licence issued by NSW Fair Trading if the total value of the work is more than $1,000 and, where the work was unsolicited by the consumer, the trader must tell the consumer about their rights to terminate any contract within a ten business day cooling off period.

Consumers who enter an unsolicited agreement worth more than $100 are under no obligation to pay any money within the ten business day cooling off period that commences on the date of the agreement.

The Commissioner said the warning extends statewide given the propensity of travelling conmen to move quickly when detected.

"People who have had any contact with or approaches by travelling conmen should report immediately to the Travelling Conmen Hotline," he said.

"They will often appear charming and convincing but don't be duped into parting with your money, resist their high pressure tactics and warn friends and family to beware."

Visit the Stop Travelling Conmen Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StopTravellingConMen and check the interactive map for reports of travelling conmen at www.stoptravellingconmen.org