UTTLESFORD District Council is warning residents to be on their guard after reports of fraudsters trying to get bank details from unsuspecting victims in a council tax scam.
The reports are from a nearby district - fraudsters telephone residents pretending they are from a government agency and suggest that they are due a reward as a result of having a good council tax payment record.
The caller is given a reference number and contact details for the agency and then asks for bank account or credit card details so the false payment can be processed. There have been reports of this scam in Maldon as well as other parts of the country.
Principal Council Tax Officer for Uttlesford Sue Ellis said: “I would like residents to be on their guard against this scam and get in touch with the council and Trading Standards immediately if they have any concerns.”
Insp Kevin Wakefield of Saffron Walden police said: “99 per cent of the time bona fide businesses will never cold call and ask for banking details - I would like to remind residents to never give banking details to anybody over the phone.”
Residents can contact Uttlesford District Council’s council tax team on 01799 510335 or the National Consumer Advice line (Trading Standards) on 0845 404 0506.
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