Fraud Alert – Re-surge in Council Tax
Scam
Bromsgrove District Council’s fraud experts
are urging residents to be extra cautious following reports that
scammers are attempting to get personal details.
Further to a warning put out by the Council in
April this year, several more reports have been received stating
that international phone calls are being received by residents. The
caller informs them that they are entitled to a council tax
refund. One resident was informed this was because of a
Council Tax Banding error.
Worryingly, the scammers knew the customers
name, address and date of birth. Residents were asked to
confirm these details including where they wanted the money owed to
them, paid to (such as HSBC, Halifax etc). They even appeared
to know that one resident had only one debit card. When this
detail was denied, the scammer ended the call.
In all circumstances, the scammers were
identified as having an accent of Asian origin and are using a
premium rate number so residents are being asked not to return the
calls either.
The Council’s Fraud Services Manager Marie
Wall said: “Please be aware of this resurgence in phone calls in
the area.
“Under no circumstances
should you give any personal information out over the
telephone.
“The Council Tax department would never make
such phone calls, and would always correspond in writing where
refunds may be due. Bank details should never be handed out and
definitely not PIN numbers.”
If you are contacted about your Council Tax
bill and want to make sure the query is genuine, please call 01527
881288.
