Residents in Gedling borough are being warned to be on their guard against cold-callers urging people to pay out hundreds to review their council-tax bandings – when it can be done for free.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team has issued the alert after residents reported receiving phone calls from companies claiming their property was in the wrong council-tax band, and they could investigate this for an up-front fee.
All properties in England are given a council-tax band, which determines how much they pay, based on the price of the property in 1991.
However, it is possible some properties were put into the wrong bands due to errors made when council tax was introduced.
But a free check can be made with the Valuation Office Agency which is responsible for allocating council tax bands.
Trading standards officer for Nottinghamshire County Council, Margaret Statham, said: “We’d always suggest hanging up on any unexpected telephone calls. If the call is genuine, the organisation will have another way of contacting you.
“If you are receiving unwanted telephone calls, we would suggest that you speak with your landline provider as some providers have free services that you can register for. There are also a number of phones with inbuilt call blocking services that are available to purchase from retailers.
“These will require you to have Caller Display / Caller ID activated on your line and although some providers offer this service free of charge, other providers do make a charge. ”
More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-and-business-rates-scams
