POLICE are warning residents in Gedling borough about a council tax phone scam currently doing the rounds.
The cold caller tells the resident that they are calling to let them know that they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and that they are entitled to a rebate.
The fraudster tells them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee in advance; the payment they ask for varies between £60-350. Once they have provided their details for the payment they will no longer be able to contact the person they spoke to.
A spokesperson for Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime, said: “Fraudsters are relentless and will work tirelessly to find new ways to convince people to part with their money. These criminals make several calls and will be particularly convincing and provide good reason for why the person should make an immediate payment. We urge people to be vigilant and never respond to these callers who are simply trying to scam you”.
Police say residents should keep in mind these preventative tips:
* If the call is uninvited, hang up.
* Do not allow remote access to your computer.
* Never divulge pin numbers or passwords: banks don’t ask for them either.
* If you believe you’ve fallen for this scam, get your computer checked by a reputable company and contact your bank to stop further payments.
* Report the scam if you have been affected to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk
