Sly scammers target council taxpayers

Sophisticated scammers are using emails, text messages and phone calls about council tax to try and steal the bank and credit card details of bill payers.

That’s the warning from Canterbury City Council, which says it would never email, call or text about council tax refunds, council tax discounts and exemptions, changes to council tax support or changes to council tax banding.

Director of Finance and Procurement, Lisa Fillery, said: “If you receive an email, text message or phone call offering a council tax refund, or talking about changes to council tax support or council tax banding out of the blue, do not give out any personal information, especially your bank account, debit card or credit card details.

“Delete emails and text messages straight away and block the sender. Do not click on any links. If you receive a phone call, end the call as quickly as possible.

“We would always write to you formally first and would never charge a fee to make any sort of change.

“If you are in any doubt about the person you are talking to either by email, text or on the phone, call 01227 862300 for help and advice. And if you think you have been the victim of a scam, you should contact the council, the police and report it to the Action Fraud website at actionfraud.police.uk.”

There are occasions when the council will ask you to make a payment over the phone if you are behind with your council tax payments, sometimes known as arrears, but you will always be written to first. If in any doubt, call 01227 862300 for help and advice.

To apply for a council tax refund, claim council tax support or claim a discount or exemption visit the council’s website.

To have your council tax banding reassessed, contact the Valuation Agency.

And for advice about staying safe online, visit Get Safe Online.

Published: 27 September 2019