Latest twist in council tax scam - further warning to residents

Royal Borough trading standards officers are reinforcing their warning to residents to be extra wary of a bogus council tax scam following details of a new debit card tactic being attempted by scam operators.

Officers are warning residents not to be taken in by callers claiming to be offering council tax refunds who could appear to be genuine because they may be able to quote the first six digits of residents' debit cards.

They point out that the caller will have already asked the resident the name of their bank and perhaps their card scheme such as Visa or Mastercard. With this information the fraudster would then be able to make an educated guess as to the first six digits of a person's card number as each bank would use a certain pattern of numbers for their debit cards.

This latest twist in the council tax scam - which has been highlighted on the Royal Borough's website since last year - arose after a Maidenhead resident was called by someone claiming to be a council tax officer saying he needed the resident's bank details to be able to send the refund.

When asked why he could not send a cheque the caller explained that he was not authorised to issue cheques for more than £500. However the resident did not give any details but contacted the council to report the incident.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public protection, said: "Fortunately this resident acted exactly as we have been advising and contacted the council without giving any details to the caller.

"We are very glad he did as this incident has highlighted a worrying new twist on this scam which could easily give people a false sense of security that the call is genuine.

"This is particularly important for many of our more vulnerable elderly residents who might be taken in by the caller apparently already knowing some information about their debit card.

"The message is clear - do not deal with strangers on the phone or on the doorstep. Never give away any bank details - including card number and security code - in this way and do not call them back on any number they might give you."

The Royal Borough does not telephone or email residents for their bank details in order to make refunds. If a council tax refund is due, residents will be told in writing. Refunds are generally paid by cheque and they are only paid to a bank account if council tax payments had been made by direct debit, in which case the council already has the information it needs.

If residents are contacted by someone claiming to be from the council, and are unsure, they should ask for the caller's name and extension number then call the council on 01628 683800 to confirm.

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