Council urging caution after homes are targeted with tax scam

Householders are being warned to be on their guard against an e-mail scam promising a council tax refund in exchange for personal details.
Don't fall victim to the scam.Don't fall victim to the scam.
Don't fall victim to the scam.

The scam, which has been issued to households through the Ribble Valley, claims households are placed in the wrong band in a previous address and promises refunds of hundreds of pounds in exchange for filling in a form.

Mark Edmondson, Ribble Valley Council’s head of revenues and benefits, said: “At first glance the scam e-mails appear genuine, but they are not genuine and by clicking on the words, Refund Form, at the bottom of the e-mail residents will be forwarded to a web page that will request personal details and put them at risk.

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“Residents should never give their personal details to anyone they are not sure of and if they receive the scam e-mail are advised to delete it immediately.”

The council have now issued a four step guide to staying a step ahead of the scammers:

â— Don't give your bank details to anyone contacting you by e-mail;

â— Don't let anyone into your home without checking their identification;

â— You can verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from Ribble Valley Council by phoning 01200 425111;

â— Inform the police immediately if you believe anyone is impersonating council staff.