COLD callers claiming to be from the council have prompted a fraud warning in the district.
A caller or text tells the resident they are due a council tax refund and asks the recipient for their bank details.
The texts often contain phishing links to direct the recipient to a website for them to provide their data.
Stratford District Council has warned residents not to give out bank or credit card details. Instead they should ask the caller’s name, then ring the council back and ask to speak to the caller to confirm whether it was a genuine request.
District council spokesman Coun Maurice Howse said: “Fraudsters are relentless and will work tirelessly to find new ways to convince people to part with their money. They will be particularly convincing and provide good reason for why the person should make an immediate payment. The district council would never request money from customers to help process any council tax refund.
“I would encourage people to be vigilant and never respond to these callers, who are simply trying to scam you. Never take up offers of a tax rebate on the spot from cold calls or give out bank details.”
Visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040 to report scams.
