Trading standards warn residents of ‘council tax’ phone scam

Sep 23 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

SOUTH Lanarkshire Council's trading standards team is warning householders about a new scam.

A number of residents have told the council's benefits and revenue team that they have received unsolicited telephone calls claiming to be from the ‘council tax’ and advising that there had been a band reduction and that their account was in credit.

The consumer is then given a reference number and a telephone contact number. At this stage bank details are requested to allow the 'refund' to be paid directly.

If the phone number is dialled there is also a charge of £15.

Divisional trading standards officer David Templeton said: “We want to put the message out and ensure that residents are very aware of this scam.

“The request for bank details should immediately set alarm bells ringing. No such 'revaluations' have taken place and none is planned.

“Anyone who is taken in by this is putting themselves at risk of having money taken from their bank accounts.

He added: “Thankfully, so far, none of the cases reported to us has led to handing over bank details but we are concerned that this has not been the case across the board.

“We would urge anyone who thinks they might have been targeted by the scam to get in touch straight away.”

Anyone with concerns about this scam or any other can contact their local Consumer Advice team directly on 01355 806865 or email consumer.enquiries@southlanarkshire.gov.uk