Police have charged two men for impersonating members of the Rural Fire Service near areas affected by bushfires.
Officers executed a search warrant on a home in Koonorigan, close to where fires have been burning near Byron Bay on the New South Wales Far North Coast.
Authorities will allege the 36-year-old man inside the home had items with the NSW Rural Fire Service insignia on them and he had other types of emergency service branded equipment and helmets in the property.
Advert
He's been charged with dishonestly obtaining benefit by deception, having goods in custody suspected of being stolen and vehicle registration offences.
Police also nabbed a 19-year-old who was found riding on a scooter in Sydney's south, close to where a small bushfire had broken out.
Prosecutors will allege the teenager was dressed in a NSW Fire and Rescue uniform and, as such, he's been charged with impersonating an emergency services worker and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.
Advert
It comes as people affected by bushfires in New South Wales allege RFS impersonators are committing some pretty scummy crimes.
This Reddit user in Kempsey wrote: "There are reports of people around our area dressed as RFS personnel demanding people evacuate and then robbing the houses.
"The uniforms are plain with no logos or anything. If it's happening here it's probably happening elsewhere. I'm in the Kempsey area. I have mates who have lost absolutely everything and these fucks are doing this."
Advert
Other impersonators are allegedly door knocking fire affected areas trying to get 'donations' for the RFS.
Another Reddit user said: "Yeah it's absolutely f**ked. I work for the RFS and have had someone on my door pretending to be in my DIVISION trying to scam money as well. It's simply disgusting."
People in these areas are being warned to be extra vigilant during this period - which is pretty shitty considering many are just trying to ensure their homes survive.
One user offered this advice: "[RFS] would generally be in full uniform and bring the trucks along too as a bit of a gimmick.
Advert
"Don't know if the truck thing is common elsewhere but if the RFS is door knocking for donations they will be in full uniform always, they will also NEVER be looking to collect any type of money during an emergency period, there's never a fee for service and really they shouldn't be asking for anything apart from maybe a glass of water.
"That said if you have fireys on your street trying to save homes and yours isn't under any threat it's always appreciated if you throw a few drinks/snacks their way."
You've been warned.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 7