People receiving calls offering council tax rebates are being lied to in a bid to get their bank details.
Perth and Kinross Council Trading Standards service has been contacted by worried residents who have been called by “council tax head office in London.”
The caller explains a substantial rebate is due the householder under a government scheme and offers to pay it if bank account details are provided. A similar scam was run in Fife last month.
Council community safety convener Willie Robertson said, “The main purpose of the scam is to obtain the victim’s bank details or money. These phone calls have no connection to the council and we urge people not to give their bank details or other personal information to people who contact them out of the blue.
“As a rule you should never give your bank details to anyone who contacts you over the phone. Local authorities do not contact people in this way to offer refunds.
“If there has been an over- or under-charge on your council tax, the council will calculate what is owed and then write to explain what has happened.
“If you think you have received a scam phone call and you have given out any confidential bank details you should contact your bank and let them know what has happened.”
For more information contact Trading Standards on 01738 476476 or email es@pkc.gov.uk.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user alancleaver_2000.