FRAUDSTERS claiming to be offering Thomas Cook refunds are targeting people who have lost money from the cancellation of flights and holidays.
Members of the public are being warned about cold calls relating to refunds in relation to the liquidation of the travel firm.
There have been reports that customers are receiving calls from scammers trying to exploit the collapse of the travel company by offering fake refunds on Thomas Cook holidays.
But instead, the scammers - some claiming to be from Thomas Cook and others from the customers' bank - steal bank account details and money from already vulnerable customers.
The Consumer Council NI has issued a warning to members of the public to be on their guard.
"Criminals may use Thomas Cook going into liquidation as a cover story to scam you out of your money," it said.
"Remember, genuine companies will never phone you and ask for bank details.
"Never disclose this information over the phone. Be scam aware."
The Take Five campaign, which aims to stop frauds by informing the public, has also appealed to the public to beware of scams.
"If you are a Thomas Cook customer, don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details," it said.
"Criminals will attempt to get individuals to disclose personal or financial information, which they will then use for their own fraudulent purposes."
Meanwhile, an estimated 16,500 passengers were being brought back to the UK yesterday as the rescue operation continued into its third day.
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has had the task of bringing back more than 150,000 stranded Thomas Cook holidaymakers.
Thomas Cook went into liquidation in the early hours of Monday with the loss of around 22,000 jobs worldwide.
