They are a highly organised gang of itinerant traders who offer to lay asphalt on driveways and then attempt to intimidate consumers into paying for shoddy work.

The group was caught operating in Taree, Old Bar and Tinonee in February and received three penalty notices worth $2250.

Recently the men, who all seem to have Irish accents, approached a consumer in Albury and offered to lay hot bitumen on her driveway for $7000.

They are known to keep a watch on homeowners to see when they leave their property and when they do, the bandits turn up in a large group and start laying bitumen without consent.

They have been known to attempt to bully the resident into paying for substandard work and in some cases have actually forcibly driven people to the bank to withdraw money or to cash a cheque.

Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge, has said residents should contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 if they have been approached by the Bitumen Bandits.