Council Tax scams
There are a number of scams related to Council Tax. Typically, these involve you getting a message or a phone call saying that you are entitled to a refund and asking for card or bank details to send the refund to.
We don’t send out such messages. You might get a message from us reminding you that a payment is due, but we won’t contact you asking for bank details for a refund.
If you get do a phone call or message about a refund and asking for such details, it's a scam. Put the phone down if it's a call. If it's a text or email, don't click on any links, open any attachments, or fill in any form details.
You can report scam messages or emails to the police via the Action Fraud website.
You should contact your bank immediately if you have already given out bank details or think you have lost money because someone has used your card or bank details fraudulently.
You can contact the Council Tax team directly if you think you should get a refund.
Here are some Council Tax scams that we have heard about:
Council Tax refunds - text scam
With this scam, you get a text that says:
“Dear customer. Please note that we have to refund you the amount: 422.40GBP council tax fee for the past year. Please visit: http://online-council-tax.co.uk”
This link redirects to a Spanish website 'www.2597368-0.web-hosting.es' where a fairly convincing GOV.UK form comes up asking a worrying amount of very personal information.
If you get one of these texts - or anything similar - it's not from us. Don't fill in the form.
Council Tax refunds - fraudulent emails
These fraudulent Council Tax refund emails quote an amount, refer to the Local Tax Office and the Local Taxation Officer, and even give a Council Tax refund ID number. The emails tell you to fill in a form with your card details in order to claim the refund.
These emails are not from us. Don't fill in the form.
Council Tax rebate - phone scams
Some Cheshire East residents have had phone calls where the caller tells them they are entitled to a Council Tax rebate and asks for bank details. The caller pretends to be from Cheshire East Council.
If you get one of these calls, don't give any information. Put the phone down, and report the call to Cheshire East Trading Standards.
Help with Council Tax banding appeals or lowering your Council Tax band
External companies are contacting local people and offering to help them appeal against their property's Council Tax banding in return for a fee of up to 35% of any refund issued. This isn't illegal, but you can appeal yourself for free by contacting the Valuation Office Agency .
More information on scams
The Citizen's Advice Bureau website has useful information on how to spot and protect yourself from scams.
Contact us
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Page last reviewed: 02 August 2021
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