Council tax email scam
Fraudsters are targeting Slough residents with a council tax email scam.
The council has been contacted by residents who have received emails purporting to be from the government claiming they were due a council tax rebate.
The residents affected did the right thing and independently contacted the council for verification and could be warned the email was a scam and should not be responded to.
Fake emails can hold clues they are sent by a fraudster trying to steal money from the recipient.
The first clue can be in the address from where the email has been sent like from a hotmail account. In addition, fraudsters try and use the branding from a genuine account but the font may change in the email or there are spelling mistakes.
The general advice about any email, text, and unsolicited communication offering money to the addressee, is it should be viewed with extreme caution and no personal information should be shared.
It is also always a good idea to independently verify any such communications with who they are purporting to be.
Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: “The old adage is if it looks too good to be true then it probably is.
“There are unscrupulous people out there who will use any hook to get people to part with their hard earned money.
“In the current situation when so many people have restricted finances due to the public health crisis, the offer of a rebate to steal money is just cruel.
“Please view any emails like this with extreme caution and do not part with any personal information.”
If a resident receives a scam email it can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or to report@phishing.gov.uk, and for advice call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
If a resident is in immediate danger contact the police on 999 and contact the bank if you think you have been scammed.
The council has been contacted by residents who have received emails purporting to be from the government claiming they were due a council tax rebate.
The residents affected did the right thing and independently contacted the council for verification and could be warned the email was a scam and should not be responded to.
Fake emails can hold clues they are sent by a fraudster trying to steal money from the recipient.
The first clue can be in the address from where the email has been sent like from a hotmail account. In addition, fraudsters try and use the branding from a genuine account but the font may change in the email or there are spelling mistakes.
The general advice about any email, text, and unsolicited communication offering money to the addressee, is it should be viewed with extreme caution and no personal information should be shared.
It is also always a good idea to independently verify any such communications with who they are purporting to be.
Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: “The old adage is if it looks too good to be true then it probably is.
“There are unscrupulous people out there who will use any hook to get people to part with their hard earned money.
“In the current situation when so many people have restricted finances due to the public health crisis, the offer of a rebate to steal money is just cruel.
“Please view any emails like this with extreme caution and do not part with any personal information.”
If a resident receives a scam email it can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or to report@phishing.gov.uk, and for advice call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
If a resident is in immediate danger contact the police on 999 and contact the bank if you think you have been scammed.
