Vale Trading Standards warn residents over bogus 'council tax' callers (From Penarth Times)

Vale Trading Standards warn residents over bogus 'council tax' callers

8:40am Saturday 1st September 2012 in News

VALE of Glamorgan Trading Standards officers are warning residents of a scam involving hoax visits from callers claiming to be officials from the council tax department.

Reports have been received of callers in the area posing as officers from the authority, asking for large amounts of personal information, including date of birth and national insurance numbers.

A spokesman said staff from the Vale Council are not gathering this information and will not ask for these details - and added that there are concerns that this person is imitating council workers to gain information to be used for fraudulent purposes.

Principal Trading Standards officer Christina Roberts-Kinsey said: "If a person cold calls and states they are from the council, please ask to see their identification card.

"If you have any doubts as to their authenticity, please do not let them into your property or provide them with any information.

"If you are in any doubt or you require information relating to your council tax account, you are advised to contact the Vale of Glamorgan council tax section on 01446 700111."

If you believe you have received a similar call, report it to Citizens Advice by calling 08454 04 05 06. This information is immediately sent to the council’s Trading Standards Service.