Halton Borough Council has issued a warning after residents reported receiving telephone calls offering to help them make claims to reduce their council tax banding.
One calling himself ‘Peter’ called an elderly lady asking questions about her council tax banding and how long she’s lived there and if anyone been out to her address to check her banding is correct.
She said she was suspicious of the call and she told him that somebody had been out already and he instantly hung up the phone.
Halton Borough Council is making it clear that it is not contacting people offering this service or working with any companies to offer such a facility.
Should residents wish to check their banding and subsequently appeal they can do this for themselves for free.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “Anyone who thinks that the band on their home is wrong can have it checked for free by using the step by step guide on the Money Saving Expert website:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change”
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of the Trading Standards specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you wish to discuss any further issues you may have relating to Council Tax payments call Halton Borough Council on 0303 333 43 00
If you need advice on any other consumer problem please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or visit http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ .