Police warn residents on caller council tax scam

POLICE are warning residents to be wary of a council tax scam.

There have been reports in the Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe areas over the past week of people receiving phone calls offering them rebates on their council tax.

They have then been asked to give their bank details to the caller. Neath Port Talbot Council is aware of the scam and is advising residents not to hand over any details.

Detective Inspector Jason Davies of Neath Port Talbot CID said: "We have heard of this scam happening in other parts of Wales and the UK where the targeted person receives a telephone call asking them to give their bank details in order to get a rebate on their council tax.

"Local authorities do not make such unsolicited phone calls such as these so our advice is to decline the offer and put the phone down.

"People should never give any personal details over the phone, especially bank details.

"Fortunately the few cases which have been reported to the police in Neath Port Talbot have not resulted in any details being given.

"People have been vigilant and declined. In one case, the person asked for a cheque and not surprisingly he was told it was not possible to receive the rebate by cheque."

Council head of revenues Martin Jones said: "This is a scam designed to get people to disclose their bank account details.

"If you get a call, do not under any circumstances give the caller any personal details. You should contact the police immediately to report the call."