EMAIL scams have prompted a warning to Stratford district residents to be on their guard.
Stratford District Council has received reports of the emails which offer a council tax refund, and are designed to obtain people’s personal data and bank details.
SDC councillor Jo Barker said: “We have been made aware that there is a council tax refund scam happening locally. If you have received any correspondence about a council tax refund that asks you to click a link, then input personal details please delete it.
“It’s appalling that fraudsters are taking advantage of the fact that many residents are suffering financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“If you have any doubts whether correspondence sent to you is genuine please contact the district council and officers will be able to help you.”
The district council says it has no legal power to suspend the collection of council tax and must collect council tax, unless or until government change this.
The authority advises recipients of such emails to stop and think before acting on the emails’ request, and to refuse or ignore them.
