RESIDENTS of Torridge are being reminded to be on their guard against bogus officials claiming they can save them money through council tax band revaluations.

There have been recent instances of fraudsters telephoning residents, alleging they are calling on behalf of the Valuation Office, and offering for a payment to move their property into a lower council tax band.

There is already a free process in place available to anyone who wishes to challenge their council tax band — information is available by visiting the Valuation Office Agency‘s website at www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands  or by calling 0300 050 5505.

The Valuation Office provides a warning and advice about council tax scams on the their website: www.gov.uk/government/news/valuation-office-agency-warn-against-council-tax-banding-scams

Lead member for customer service, Councillor David Hurley, said: ‘It is worrying that scammers are using the promise of reduced council tax as a means of conning money out of people and it is important not to hand over any money or give out any personal details, and to end the call as quickly as possible.

‘Torridge District Council takes actions to protect personal information and neither the council or Valuation Office would cold call, text or e-mail residents about their council tax banding, and would certainly never request payment for revaluation or insist people disclose their bank, or credit card details over the phone.

‘The public should be always report scammers as soon as possible.’

The advice from Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service is to end the call straight away, and report the incident to them via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.