Telephone Scam Warning For Residents
Residents are once again being warned to be on their guard against a telephone scam which has already affected a number of people in the county borough.
Trading Standards has received a number of calls from concerned residents or their family/carers who have been contacted by telephone by a company called Shore Valuation, which claims it is managing refunds people are owed on their Council Tax, due to their property being in the wrong tax band.
They then ask for a fee of around £70 to be paid to them over the phone to enable them to do the work needed to secure the refund on behalf of the resident.
The Council is aware of at least four of these calls, including one in which a woman did make the payment by bank card over the phone.
People are being urged to be on their guard against anyone who cold calls their home telephone and certainly no money should be paid or card/bank details given unless they are absolutely certain what they are paying for.
The Council wishes to make it clear that all decisions regarding the banding (or changing of) for properties is dealt with by the Valuation Office Agency and anyone who is told, or suspects, their house is in the wrong Council Tax band is urged to contact them.
Residents are also being informed that any decisions or information relating to Council Tax payments or refunds would come from the Council on official Council headed paper.
All staff carry photo identification which will be presented if they visit a home and no Council officer would ask for an upfront payment in order to cover the cost of researching if a refund is due or not.
People are also urged to ensure they inform elderly or vulnerable residents and neighbours about the scam.
They are advised not to make payments to cold callers over the phone or give their bank statements under any circumstances.
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