Any person who suffers any ascertainable loss of moneys or property, real or personal, as a result of the use or employment by another person of any method, act, or practice declared unlawful under P.L. 1981, c. 311 (C. 45:14D-1 et seq.) may bring an action or assert a counterclaim therefor in any court of competent jurisdiction. In any action under this section the court shall, in addition to any appropriate legal or equitable relief, award threefold the damages sustained by any person in interest. In all actions under this section the court shall also award reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of suit.
N.J.S. § 45:14D-24