Residents warned on Council tax scam

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is warning residents about a new telephone scam involving Council tax refunds.

The Council has received a report from a resident saying they had received a call from a man with a foreign accent.

The resident was told as she had been a good council tax payer, she was entitled to a £2,000 refund.

Fortunately, she put the phone down after realising it was not a legitimate call and contacted the Police.

The Council is concerned that some ratepayers may be tempted to pass on their bank details if requested - this would risk their account being accessed and money removed by the scammers.

Councillor Andy Kay, Executive Member for Resources said: “This was a worrying exchange for the resident. I urge people to be vigilant. You should never give out your bank details not even your own bank will ask you for your pin number.”

“If you were entitled to a refund, you would receive an official letter from any proper organisation. You would not receive a phone call out of the blue. Please remember that If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”