Council tax scam

TRADING standards officers have renewed its advice never to give out bank card details when called on the phone after a council tax scam which started in England last year has reached Shetland.

In this latest scam householders receive a phone call claiming that their home is in the wrong council tax band, and that the caller can help them to claim a refund.

Team leader David Marsh said: “The caller will sound convincing, and will ask for your bank card details so that they can send out a pack which they will have you believe is essential for correcting your council tax band, and thereby claiming a refund which they claim could be worth thousands of pounds.”

He added: “If you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line – as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open.

“Make a call to a friend to make sure that the fraudster is not still on the line, then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud.”

Advice for consumers and businesses on scams or any other trading standards matter, is always available at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards, by calling 01595 744887, or in person at Shetland Islands Council’s office on the ground floor of Charlotte House, in Lerwick.