News Centre

13 Jun 2011 (archived)

Council tax scam warning

We have been contacted by two residents following a phone call from a bogus council tax official.

These fraudsters operate by ringing or texting claiming to be from the local council, valuation office or some other company which deals with changes to council tax banding. They suggest that the resident is either due a council tax refund, or owe more council tax and must pay it promptly to avoid a fine. They will then ask for personal information and bank details to allow them to process the refund or payment.

If you receive one of these calls, do not give out any personal information and end the call as quickly as possible. The fraudsters can get aggressive and ring back if you put the phone down but this is all part of the scam to make you act as they want.

The Council does call residents to alert them to the fact that they owe money or to check that they have received documents sent in the post, but we always give individuals the opportunity to contact the Council themselves to make payments over the automated telephone system or via the web, or to call during office hours to pay or pass on bank details.

If there is any change to the amount you have to pay you will receive a bill through the post explaining the situation.

If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a call concerning your council tax account please email our local taxation team or call 01993 861040.

To report a suspected incident of the scam, residents can contact Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards on 0845 0510845.

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