Council tax tricksters warning

PEOPLE are being warned to be on their guard against tricksters who are claiming they can get you discount on your council tax.

The annual council tax bills will soon be landing on doormats and South Somerset District Council has a warning for residents about conmen who claim they can save them money for the cost of a fee.

The district council is aware that a caller is stating they are from a company who, for a fee, could arrange to reduce their council tax for them. The caller then says that their company is employed by South Somerset District Council to carry out this work.
 
This company is NOT working for South Somerset District Council, nor does the council have any companies working for it in this way.
 
Other councils have reported someone phoning claiming to be from a government department and was offering a year's council tax refund as a reward for prompt payment over the past number of years.

The resident was suspicious, and when the caller was asked to identify themselves and the department they represented the caller hung up.

A spokesman for South Somerset District Council said: ''This type of scam is similar to a number of bogus telephone calls occurring in growing numbers across the country, the nature of which is to deceive the recipient into revealing personal bank details by promising a refund of council tax to be paid into their account.
 
''If you get a call from someone saying they are working on behalf of South Somerset District Council to reduce Council Tax charges and asking for a fee, we advise you to end the call straight away.''
 
For advice about council tax band reductions, discounts, exemptions or council tax benefit (replaced with council tax reduction from April 1, 2013) please visit the council’s website www.southsomerset.gov.uk or call 01935-462462.
 
The council's deputy leader, Cllr Tim Carroll, said: “Telephone scams are prevalent at the moment, and in this case they are charging a fee and saying they can get council tax reduced. It is important that you do not make any payments or give them any personal details. You can get free advice about your council tax from South Somerset District Council.”

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