Council tax refund scam warning to residents
Release date: 2 December 2009
New Forest District Council is warning of a council tax phone scam in which residents are asked to reveal their bank details.
Several residents contacted the council after bogus phone calls were made to their homes. The caller claimed to be from New Forest District Council and said council tax refunds were being made due to a rebanding of their property. The residents were asked to provide their bank details to enable the refund to be paid into their bank account.
New Forest District Council will never ask for personal or bank details over the phone and householders are warned not to give any personal information if they receive such a call.
NFDC portfolio holder for crime and disorder Cllr Goff Beck warned: "Residents should be on the alert for these types of calls. It's a scam which has been operating around the country and now the New Forest is being targeted. I urge everybody to be wary if they do receive such a call and obviously do not give any account details."
Anybody concerned after receiving such a call, or seeking further advice, can contact:
Glenda Chambers, Audit Services 02380 285789 or the Fraud Hotline 0800 0851 637.