Council Tax scam warning from Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council is warning residents to be aware of Council Tax scams believed to be circulating the Borough.

The authority has received calls from worried people reporting they have been contacted by someone claiming to work for ‘the Council Tax section’.

They were told they were entitled to a refund of their Council Tax as their banding was incorrect and had been for a number of years. They were then asked to give their bank details in order to receive the refund.

A second scam was reported, with a resident claiming they had received a phone call from ‘British Council Tax’, advising that they were due a refund for overpayment of benefit.

They then asked for bank details to pay a refund into and gave a phone number of 020 3026 5276.

It has also been reported that residents have been contacted by letter and phone from an external company offering to appeal against the banding of their property. They say that, if successful, they will charge up to 30% of the refund the person is entitled to.

Cheshire East would like to remind people that it does not work with these companies and that appeals against a person’s Council Tax banding can be made at no charge.

Councillor Michael Jones, Cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “I urge the people of Cheshire East not to play into these companies’ hands. Never give out personal or bank details to these callers.

“Our Council Tax advisors will never ask for bank details over the telephone for refunds and any overpayment would be either paid into a bank account automatically (if paid by direct debit) or as a cheque.”

Anybody who has any concerns should contact the Council on 0300 123 5013 or visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk