Council Tax - Scam

hillcats

Here is an interesting email I have received, best shared.

From:
Sent: 06 February 2011
To: All_Contacts
Subject: Scam Alert: "Council Tax Head Office in London" scam

Thanks to Karenina B. for drawing our attention to this.
We have done the usual checks and believe this to be a legitimate alert, based on links below

One thing to mention is the articles dubious reference to the 020 telephone numbers which “could be connected to expensive premium rate lines”.
- This is unlikely to be correct as they should be charged at local rates, and ironically, I would say it is more likely that the Consumer Direct 0845 number
might be slightly more expensive than them!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/8274983/Residents-targeted-by-council-tax-scam.html
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/residents-warned-about-council-tax-scam/
http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/200061/council_tax/1457/council_tax-scam/1
http://www.money.co.uk/discuss/discussion/100296-beware-of-council-tax-scam-notices-promising-rewards-be-very-vigilant.htm
http://www.catfordcentral.com/residents-warned-over-council-tax-scam

Residents targeted by council tax scam

5:59PM GMT 21 Jan 2011

Local councils are warning residents to be on their guard against a new council tax scam, operated by both telephone and email.

Messages posted on the websites of councils including Lewisham and Enfield in London and the Wirral warn residents that scammers are promising people a financial reward for paying their council tax by direct debit.

The calls and emails claim to be from the ‘Council Tax Head Office in London’, and offer refunds of hundreds of pounds if the recipient gives out personal details, including their bank account numbers. There is no Council Tax Head Office in London.

As part of the scam, one of three phone numbers have been given to people who want more information about their supposed refunds: 020 8123 0965, 020 3286 1358 and 020 8123 2739.

“The numbers are connected to a postal address in Regent Street in London and are in no way connected to council tax collection service in Lewisham,” the Lewisham council website warned. It also warned that the numbers could be connected to expensive premium rate lines.

“Anyone who is unsure about the validity of a call or email about council tax, or any other council service, should not divulge any personal information,” the spokesman said.

A spokesman for the Office of Fair Trading said people should “stop, think and be sceptical”.

“If something sounds too good to be true it probably is,” a spokesman said. “If you are unsure of an offer, speak to family or friends and seek advice from Consumer Direct before sending any money or giving out any banking or credit card details.”

Consumer Direct can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06.