Highland Council trading standards warns of council tax scam
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Highland Council trading standards is again warning people of the emergence of another council tax scam.
A resident reported a scam where emails are telling recipients that they are due a council tax rebate.
The emails include a web address which may put personal information at risk if accessed.
Trading standards team leader Mark McGinty said: “This is just the latest in a long line of many attempts to scam people either of their money or their personal information, which will eventually lead to an attempt to scam money at some point.
"I’d urge anyone who has received a text message or email that they are not 100 per cent sure about to simply ignore it and remove it. In all cases, if you think you are due council tax refund, contact the council in the first instance.”
Sheila McKandie, interim head of revenues and customer services at the council, said: "Any communication with council taxpayers from the council’s corporate resources service about something like a refund would be in writing.
"We never cold call customers asking for bank account details. During the coronavirus, some people are even more susceptible to internet and phone scams which is the reason why families and friends need to alert one another to immediately delete any suspicious emails or text messages that may be received.
"The same rules apply to suspicious phone calls seeking personal information; do not divulge any information and terminate the call. Householders with doubt as to the authenticity of any contact regarding council tax should call the council's freephone council tax helpline on 0800 393811.”
