THE Forest Council is warning residents to be wary of cold callers from any company offering the chance to get their Council Tax reduced.

A number of people in the district have received calls from people falsely claiming to work for the council.

They ask for a fee to "check" the Council Tax banding with a view to getting payments reduced.

Residents are being advised by the council not to provide any personal information such as bank details.

Cllr Richard Boyles, Cabinet Member for Finance said: “We urge residents to always be wary of phone calls of this nature. This is most likely to be a nationwide campaign, which is currently targeting our district.”

“The council will never use a third party to contact a taxpayer in this way and we urge anybody receiving a call relating to reducing their Council Tax banding to end the call immediately and never give out personal details, especially bank details over the phone.”

“If you have any doubt about a phone call relating to Council Tax or property bandings, call the council on 01594 810000 and ask to speak to a member of the Council Tax team.”

“If you wish to appeal against your council tax banding, you can do this yourself for free by contacting the District Valuation Office on 03000 501 501.”

For more information on council tax bandings visit the Council’s website www.fdean.gov.uk and view the ‘Council Tax Appeals’ page in the ‘Advice and Benefits’ section.

For more information or to report a telephone cold call visit the Action Fraud website www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.