Residents have been urged to be on their guard against fraudsters offering to help them get reductions in their Council Tax
A number of Council Taxpayers in the city have been targeted by a fraudster who telephones to offer help in claiming Council Tax Benefit or getting their property moved into a lower charge band.
A similar scam has also sparked warnings from neighbouring local authorities to their residents.
Paula Lewis, Benefit Take-Up Manager, said: “We were alerted that the scam was operating in this area after concerned residents contacted us.
“In one case, a gentleman had received a phone call from someone advising him that he was owed 16 years of rebate on Council Tax totalling approximately £5,000.
“The caller asked them for a payment of £75 to process their rebate and started asking for debit card details. Luckily the resident became concerned, hung up on the caller and rang us to check.
“We believe this is a scam designed to get people to disclose their debit or credit card details.
“If you get a call, do not under any circumstances give the caller this information.
“You should contact the Police immediately to report the call.”
Council Tax benefit staff do sometimes cold call residents to advise of possible entitlement or to check information provided in a benefit claim but they would never ask for a fee or credit or debit card details before allowing any reduction.
If residents believe they may be missing out on help towards their Council Tax then Swansea Council has a Benefits Take-Up Team that residents can call.
Council Taxpayers who would like to find out if they may be entitled to a rebate on their Council Tax can ring the Take-Up team on 01792 635885 for advice and support in making a claim.
Paula Lewis added: “The Council would not ask for a fee to be paid before allowing Council Tax Benefit and also a benefit claim cannot be backdated for such a long period.
“We have a campaign running to encourage Swansea residents to claim any Council Tax Benefit that they are entitled to and scams such as these can put people off.
“If anyone is concerned about any phone calls of this nature they can contact us to find out if any of our staff have rung them.”
Sergeant Dean Evans, from the Safer Swansea Partnership, said: “These callers will not consider whether the person is elderly or vulnerable and anyone who receives such a call should ask for the contact number of the caller and then contact the Council office to check the authenticity of the call.
“A genuine caller would provide these details so don’t be afraid to ask. At no time should anyone disclose any credit or debit card details.”
