HOUSEHOLDERS in Suffolk are being warned not to fall for conmen who phone up claiming they are due a council tax rebate.

Annie Davidson

SUFFOLK: Householders in Suffolk are being warned not to fall for conmen who phone up claiming they are due a council tax rebate.

The scam involves people being told they are owed thousands back from their council tax and then being pressured into handing over their bank account or credit card details for the cash to be refunded.

Numerous reports have been made that callers posing as staff from the Valuation Office Agency or council officials have been trying to convince people to hand over their details.

Director of council tax at the Valuation Office Agency, Tim Eden, said: “This is outrageous and targets vulnerable people with false promises.

“People must not pay any attention to these crooks and should report such calls to the police.

“Some of the callers are very aggressive and intimidating to make people pay up, but people should not be fooled into thinking these calls are legitimate.

“The VOA does not ask people for financial details.

“If people have questions about their council tax band, they should go to our website, www.voa.gov.uk where they can get information on how bands are determined and what to do if they disagree with their banding.”