Highland Council has issued an urgent alert about criminals still targeting Highland with council tax rebate scams.
Scammers are cold calling and claiming that the resident is due a council tax refund or can have their council tax band reassessed upon payment of £150.
They are also sending scam emails offering a council tax refund and asking you to provide your bank account details by clicking on a link.
Council tax bands are determined by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer, who is independent from the Highland Council.
The Assessor does not cold call customers nor reassess council tax bands in this way.
The council stressed this is a scam and the scammers are taking advantage of annual council tax bills being sent out at this time.
If you are cold-called and asked to provide your bank details to receive a council tax refund, ignore the request and hang up.
If you are approached by email, delete it.
Sheila McKandie, acting head of revenues & customer services said: “Any communication with council tax payers from the council about something like a refund would be in writing.
“We never cold call asking for bank details.
“End the call immediately and under no circumstances give any personal details to the caller.
“This is a ploy by scammers to gain confidential information such as bank account details from unsuspecting recipients.
“If anyone has a vulnerable neighbour or relative, please pass on this advice.
“If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of the call, call the council’s freephone council tax helpline on 0800 393811.”
