Renfrewshire issues warning about council tax refund scam

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People in Renfrewshire are being warned about a telephone scam designed to find out their bank details so that criminals can empty their accounts.

Renfrewshire Council issued the warning after a number of people reported receiving suspicious calls, allegedly from the council's Contact Centre.

The caller tells the person that they are due a refund on their council tax and asks for the person's bank details so that the money can be paid into their account.

Councillor Allan Noon, Renfrewshire Council's Finance Spokesperson said, "The council would never phone a customer and ask for their bank details. If a person is due a council tax refund then the money would be taken off their next bill. If the refund was bigger than the bill then we would send the person a cheque."

"No reputable organisation will ask a customer for their bank details. Any request for this information should always be treated as suspicious."

Press release: Thursday 14 January 2010