Council tax scam warning (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Council tax scam warning

8:03am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

PEOPLE across South Somerset are being warned to be on their guard against conmen who are claiming they can get you discount on your council tax bill.

The annual bills will soon be landing on doormats and South Somerset District Council has this week put out a warning to people about tricksters who claim they can save them money for the cost of a fee.

A council statement said that they had been made aware of people calling homeowners to say they are from a company who, for a fee, could arrange to have their council tax reduced. The caller then says that their firm is employed by South Somerset District Council to carry out the work.

But the council has said that the supposed company is NOT working for them and that they do not have anybody working for them in this way.

Other local authorities have reported someone phoning around claiming to be from a Government department and was offering a year’s council tax refund as a reward for prompt payment.

But a spokesman for South Somerset District Council said these calls were scams. “The nature of these calls are to deceive the recipient into revealing personal bank details by promising a refund of council tax,” they said. “If you get a call from someone saying they are working on behalf of South Somerset District Council to reduce your council tax bill – we’d advise you to end the call straight away.”

Deputy council leader, Cllr Tim Carroll, said: “Telephone scams are prevalent at the moment and, in this case, they are charging a fee and saying they can get council tax reduced.

“It is important people do not many payments or give them any personal details.”

People who would like advice about their council tax from the council by phoning 01935-462462.