Amber Valley Borough Council has issued a warning to residents to be on their guard against bogus officials offering to give Council Tax refunds.

Over the past week the Council has been contacted by two residents who have received telephone calls informing them they qualified for a Council Tax refund for overpayments dating back 12 years. The caller then asked for bank account details to pay a -195.00 charge which they said would guarantee a 50% refund of the Council Tax paid during the past 12 years.

Similar types of attempted fraud have been reported involving other public bodies and private sector firms, in the form of e-mails.

Amber Valley Borough Council reminds residents that its Revenues Division would never use telephone or e-mail to request details of bank accounts to refund overpayments of Council Tax. Neither would it charge for such a service.

Anyone in doubt about the legitimacy of calls concerning Council Tax in Amber Valley should contact Martin Hendy, Revenues Collection Manager, on 01773-570222 or martin.hendy@ambervalley.gov.uk