Council tax 'refund' warning

Trading Standards issue Council Tax Refund Warning

Warwickshire Trading Standards has received reports that fraudsters are making unexpected (cold) phone calls to Warwickshire residents, claiming that they are calling from the resident's local district or borough council offices and stating that the resident is owed a refund on their council tax. The fraudster then asks for the resident's debit or credit card details, so that the 'refund' can be paid on to the card or into their account.

Trading Standards Officers suspect that these bogus phone calls are being made now as new council tax bills for 2019/20 will shortly be sent to residents.

NEVER provide your bank or debit/credit card details to any cold callers, no matter who they claim to be. You could have money stolen from your bank account. If you think a call is genuine, phone the organisation back using a publicly advertised telephone number. Use a different phone or wait a few minutes to ensure the previous caller has hung up.

1) For more Tradiing Standards email alerts, visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/allscamalerts

2) Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

3) Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme, visit https://www.noroguetradershere.com/