Council Tax Scam warning

12th February 2020

Highland Council Trading Standards are again warning unsuspecting residents of the emergence of a new Council Tax scam.

Today a call was received by the Council from a Council Tax payer alerting to a Council Tax scam whereby scammers are now texting people and informing them that they are due a Council Tax rebate.

This is not the way that any person due a rebate would be notified. In this case a web address is given, www.city1repay-txx1.com, and the recipient is asked to open it, this website has been identified as unsafe and anyone accessing it may be putting their personal information at risk.

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader said: "This is just the latest in a long line of many attempts to scam people either of their money or their personal information, which will eventually lead to an attempt to scam money at some point. I'd urge anyone who has received a text message they are not 100% sure about to simply ignore it and remove it. In this case the web address was only set up yesterday and although identified as a phishing site and blocked by some security systems already, this may not be the case for all, so please take the advice and do not engage with the text. In all cases, if you think you are due Council Tax rebate, contact the Council in the first instance."

Sheila McKandie, Acting Head of Revenues & Customer Services explained: "Any communication with Council Tax payers from the Council's Corporate Resources Service about something like a refund would be in writing. We would never cold call customers. If anyone has a neighbour or relative who may be more susceptible to such activity, it would be helpful if this advice was passed on to them. If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of any contact regarding Council Tax, please call the Council's freephone Council Tax helpline on 0800 393811."

Highland Council Trading Standards work in partnership with Advice Direct Scotland (ADS). Residents who think they may have been scammed can contact ADS who offer free and confidential consumer advice on Freephone 0808 164 6000 or by email through their website address at: www.consumeradvice.scot

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.