We have been advised of some recent council tax scams. Please be wary if you are contacted about council tax refunds etc, and follow the information below:
Parking charge notice scams
We are aware of a text message scam requesting payments for a parking charge notice. Please be cautious of any requests for a parking fine to be paid by text. We will never request for a parking charge via SMS/text message. Find out more about parking charges we issue.
Phone refund scams
From time to time we are made aware that residents may receive calls and are told they are entitled to a council tax refund. They are asked for their bank card number to receive the refund. The caller knows details about the person such as their name, address and council tax banding.
We will never ask you for your card details over the phone to arrange a refund. If you are in any doubt please call us on 01543 308000. If you have been a victim please contact the police straight away, or report it to Action Fraud.
Council tax phone scams
We have known residents to receive calls with an automated message informing them that there is an outstanding balance on their council tax which will be escalated to bailiffs if they do not press 1 on the keypad. This scam is known to have come from +44 7016677044. This is not us.
Administration fee refund scams
In the past, residents have received calls where they are told that they are entitled to a council tax refund. They were asked to pay an administration fee in order to receive the refund, and were given a premium rate telephone number to call for further information.
We will never ask you to pay an overpayment administration fee. If you are in any doubt please call us on 01543 308000. If you have been a victim please contact the police straight away, or report it to Action Fraud.
Email refund scams
We are aware that in the past some residents have received emails stating they are due a council tax refund and asking for their bank account details to receive the refund.
We will never ask you for your card details by email to arrange a refund. If you are in any doubt please call us on 01543 308000. If you have been a victim please contact the police straight away, or report it to Action Fraud.
Text message/email refund scams
We have been notified of a recent scam where people receive a text message or email to say they are due a council tax refund and are told to visit website link to process the refund. The link takes the customer to an online form which looks very much like the gov.uk website.
We will never send out links to government web pages that ask for your personal details to process council tax refunds. We strongly recommend that you do not complete such a form, as it is likely a scam.
If you receive a text message/email similar to this please report it to Action Fraud.
Companies offering valuations, council tax banding and area comparisons
We are aware that in the past residents have been contacted by companies saying they can offer valuations, council tax banding and area comparisons of their property in the hope of saving them thousands of pounds in council tax. However, they will charge an administration fee of anything upwards of £55.
If you are contacted by one of these companies please remember that the Valuation Office Agency offers the same service for free.