Don't give bank details over the phone
A con man posing as a council officer has been telling residents they were entitled to a rebate in a cash scam.
Several residents have been contacted by the caller who told them they could get a council tax rebate and asked for their bank details.
The council is NOT phoning people to offer rebates.
Anyone with any concerns about a caller should take down the person’s name and which department they are from. They should then call back via the council’s main switchboard on 020 8825 5000 and ask to be put through to that person.
Council Leader, Councillor Julian Bell, said: “We’re concerned that someone is posing as a council officer in order to get residents’ bank or credit card details. People should always be very careful before giving out their details and if they receive an unsolicited call like this I’d ask them to hang-up and report the matter on the fraud hotline.”
The council’s audit and investigation department is aware of the incident and is liaising with police.
Residents who believe they have been contacted by a fraudster should call the fraud hotline immediately on 0800 328 6453 giving as much information as possible about the call, including the telephone number it was made from if possible.
20 January 2011
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