Residents warned over bogus phone caller who seeks bank details

COUNCIL TAX managers at Barnsley Council are again warning borough residents that a bogus phone caller is contacting residents in an attempt to gain confidential bank account details.

The caller claims to be able to offer a council tax refund because of a band reduction entitlement. They are also now offering to put a stop on all junk mail for a one off payment of £39. The caller then tries to trick the person targeted into disclosing their bank or building society details in an attempt to steal cash from their account. Unfortunately at least one person has provided this information.

It is suspected the fraudster may be targeting people simply by using telephone directory details.

Dave Whittingham, Head of the council’s Taxation and Revenues Service, said: "I’d advise residents to be very careful about cold callers offering council tax reductions. Council officers rarely, if ever, need to call people about their council tax banding and in such a situation bank details would never need to be provided anyway.

"If anyone does have any doubts about someone representing themselves as a council officer, in this or any other matter, they should ask the person for their name and phone number and tell them they’ll call them back through the council’s switchboard on 01226 770770."

ENDS