Monday January 16th 2017
Midlothian Trading Standards are warning residents to be on the lookout for a telephone scam.
A local resident recently received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the council’s revenues section informing her that she was due a refund of up to £7000 for overpaid Council Tax.
She was then asked to provide her bank account details so she could receive the refund. Fortunately the householder who was aware that council offices were closed for the festive break became suspicious. On questioning the caller became evasive and hung up.
Councillor Jim Bryant Cabinet Member for Communities and Economy said:
“Trading Standards are warning the public to be very careful. In the event a rebate is due, Midlothian Council would always write by letter and never contact anyone direct by phone. If you do receive such a call, our advice is simple, just hang up.”
The phone number given by the scammers usually starts with 0203. Anyone receiving similar calls should report this either directly to Trading Standards on 0131 271 3549 or Police Scotland on 101.
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