Warning On New Council Tax Phone Scam
21st August 2011
Trading Standards Officers from The Highland Council are warning residents that a Council Tax scam may be operating in the region.
The scam involves unsuspecting consumers receiving a phone call from an individual pretending to be from the Council or from the UK Treasury and offering a refund on their Council Tax. In one instance reported to Trading Standards, the caller stated the consumer had been selected because they have been in employment and paid income tax over a period of time and were entitled to a reward in the form of a Council Tax refund of between £5000 & £7000.
Next comes the "catch". The consumer is told that an upfront payment of £95 is required to process the refund. The scammers then ask for the resident's bank details to collect a payment or issue the promised refund. The caller also offers to arrange a visit to the resident's home within the hour to collect the £95 in cash, if this is more convenient to the resident, and then send a cheque for the refund.
David MacKenzie, Trading Standards Team Leader at Highland Council said: "This council tax scam is an example of an 'advance fee fraud'. Advance fee fraud is when fraudsters target victims to make advance payments for goods, services and/or financial gains that do not materialise. Almost all of these scams rely on payment being made online or via money transfer companies. This particular scam introduces a worrying new development in that there may be fraudsters on the ground in the Highland Council area able to travel to the consumer's home to collect the money in person."
Trading Standards have also reported this matter to the Police. Inverness Area Commander, Chief Inspector Graeme Murdoch, said: "We share Trading Standards concern about the cash collection service offered by these individuals and would remind members of the public to remain vigilant against this type of crime. I would reiterate the advice given by Trading Standards and urge people to contact their local police station if they feel they have been the victim of such a scam."
David MacKenzie added: "We urge Highland residents not to be conned by these scammers and to hang up the phone when they receive this sort of call. Finally, if you are a carer for a vulnerable person please let them know about this scam."
Council Tax payers are also reminded that the local authority may phone them to discuss tax issues, but not in the manner used by the scammers. A spokesperson for Council Tax in Highland explained: "We also want people to be on their guard for this sort of scam but do remember that Highland Council staff may legitimately telephone residents to discuss council tax payments. The key difference of course is when we phone we have some of the resident's details to hand. If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of the call, please call the Council's free phone council tax helpline on 0800 39381."
Concerned residents can contact The Highland Council's Trading Standards service at 38 Harbour Road, Inverness or telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for free and confidential advice regarding consumer issues.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On 27 November 2024 the Community and Places committee will consider a report on play parks in Highland. 94 play parks across Highland including 26 in Caithness are scheduled to close over 5 years.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On Thursday the 21 November 2024, the Education Committee will be presented with an Education Trust Fund report that asks Members to approve the formation of an Education Trust Fund Sub Committee. There are significant funds held by The Highland Council in trust for the educational benefit within different communities.
At the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 14 November 2024 councillors adopted an ambitious action plan to tackle biodiversity loss and support a nature-positive Highland. The Council's Ecology Strategy and Action Plan Strategy sets out and defines a series of key actions and activities that will assist the Council to deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss and start to address the ecological emergency for the benefit of its environment, economy, and communities.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved the rural Housing Supplementary Guidance which will now be used to inform all planning advice and decisions. Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Following the decision by members today, I am pleased that we now have a positive, clear and consistent basis for considering and determining rural housing planning applications across the whole of the Highland Council area.
New guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been published. ‘Respect for all' includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying.
The Vice Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie has expressed his delight at the number of worthwhile local projects that have benefitted from Ward Discretionary Funding in this financial year. All Council Wards receive a discretionary budget, and it is for Ward Councillors to consider what they wish to commit funds to, in line with Highland Council objectives and outcomes.
The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness. At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.
