Warning over scam council phone calls

FRAUDSTERS TARGETING CITY RESIDENTS SAYING THEY CAN OFFER TAX REBATES

COVENTRY residents are being warned amid a spate of phone scams.

Victims have been targeted by fraudsters pretending to be council workers.

Claiming to be able to offer a council tax rebate, scammers are asking their often vulnerable victims for their card information.

This gives the scammers access to their bank accounts, and often, leaves the victims penniless.

Resident June Herbert was among those targeted.

She said: “I received a phone call from a person who claimed to be from Coventry City Council, contracted to assess every property. For a fee of £79, he claimed that he could back claim council tax, to the value of £2,000 overpayment.”

The man then asked for Mrs Herbert’s debit card details, in order to “send out the documents”, to which she replied that she needed her husband – who was not home, to access her debit card.

Though the scammer called a further three times, neither Mr or Mrs Herbert answered.

A search of the number used revealed that a number of people have been targeted by this same caller. Mrs Herbert noted the professionalism of the scam, and told the Telegraph: “What concerns me was that the person had perfect English. “He was very plausible, and asked appropriate questions to confirm the call. He was applying no pressure, and was very understanding of my problems in accessing my debit card.” Coventry City Council confirmed that this was, in all likelihood, a scam. A spokesman said: “Our Council Tax team does not charge people a fee for appealing against their banding. Anyone can check their council tax band online for free at https://www.gov.uk/counciltax-appeals. “If you feel your property has been placed in the wrong band, you can make an appeal to the Valuation Office but you must continue to pay your Council Tax bill until the outcome of any appeal is known.

“We always advise people to be vigilant and not give out personal details. If you are unsure if a call or offer is too good to be true then it probably is.”

The council has also been made aware of a second, more aggressive scam in recent weeks. They said: “Residents are being urged to be wary of bogus telephone calls claiming to be from HMRC.

“There have been numerous reports across Coventry and nationwide of attempted HMRC frauds starting with a telephone call or recorded message rather than the more typical email or scam texts, and it seems to be aimed at the elderly in particular.

“Recorded messages are being left telling residents that HMRC are filing a lawsuit against them and to press 1 to speak to an advisor otherwise it will result in serious legal consequences. The tone of the message has been reported as being aggressive, and some residents have been left upset and concerned that there were problems with their tax.

“One elderly resident who received such a call was so concerned they did press 1 and as suspected, they were asked for their bank details on the pretence this was needed to make a payment for the arrears.”

Debbie Morgan, Coventry Trading Standards Enforcement Officer, said: “HMRC, banks and the police will never ring people in this manner or ask for personal or bank details over the phone. If you receive a call of this type, we advise that you hang up immediately.

“If you have elderly friends or relatives who may be vulnerable to this scam, please talk to them and make them aware.”

HMRC has confirmed that it is investigating the scam.

For a fee of £79 he claimed that he could back claim council tax to the value of £2,000 overpayment. June Herbert