Scammers have devised a new technique to con residents of Aberdeen – by pretending to offer council tax refunds.
Aberdeen City Council chiefs have warned residents to be vigilant against “unscrupulous” scammers, who have recently targeted a number of peoplein the Lower Deeside area.
The criminals have phoned residents, claiming they can help with “overpayment refunds” – but only if the victims hand over £150.
Council tax scammers in Highlands offering refund to residents
Earlier this week, police revealed con artists had stolen £1.2million from a small number of north-east residents in just three weeks as part of a complex telephone scam, known as vishing.
Last night Lower Deeside councillor Mohammed Tauqeer Malik urged residents of Aberdeen to be suspicious of any coldcaller requesting money.
He said: “In the last few days at least five people have come forward to me about this and they are all senior citizens.
“The council don’t overcharge tax and would never do this over the phone.
“The issue was talked about at the community council recently and two police officers warned never to give out details over the phone.”
A city council statement online read: “We’ve have been made aware of a scam where unscrupulous individuals are calling households claiming to be from ACC and helping to arrange council tax ‘overpayment refunds’ for an upfront fee of £150. Please disregard these calls or report them to the police.”
Chief Superintendent John McKenzie said: “We are carrying out a wide range of activities in order to reach as many people as possible, because bogus callers and rogue traders are indiscriminate. They will call at any house they can, looking to con the occupant and line their own pockets.”
