Residents in South Derbyshire are being warned about a council tax scam operating around the area.

South Derbyshire District Council was contacted by a resident who claimed to have received a telephone call from someone claiming to act on behalf of the council. The caller stated that the resident’s council tax band had been altered, and they now owed more money to the council.

The council, which operates from the Civic Offices in Civic Way, Swadlincote, has confirmed that residents’ council tax bands had not been shifted and it is not representatives from the making the phone calls.

It is alleged that those making the phone calls may claim that residents owe money and are asking for bank details so that it can be paid, but the council has warned that this is in fact a scam.

Staff from the council are advising residents to ignore the calls and not to pass on any personal or financial details to the scammers. The scam has been reported to the police and other local authorities, as well as being posted on the district council’s social media pages.

A spokesman for the council said they had ‘taken every possible step’ to inform residents of the scam and warned they would not take payment for council tax changes in this way.

Derbyshire Constabulary has recently teamed up with Derbyshire County Council to increase the public’s knowledge of scams like this one and provides useful advice on how to help residents avoid falling victim to them.

Residents are being urged to be vigilant at all times and report any concerns to the Action Fraud hotline on 0300 12302040.

Biggest Scams in Staffordshire

It’s been reported that 90 per cent of people in Staffordshire receive between five and 30 nuisance

calls a week, and one-fifth of adults from the county who were surveyed admitted they had been a victim of a telephone scam.

A YouGov survey, commissioned by CPR Call Blocker, has revealed the top five scams people have fallen victim to in Staffordshire.

Computer virus scam

People may call claiming to be from ‘Microsoft Windows Support’ who inform you of a virus on your computer and ask for passwords to fix it.

Bank account or HMRC scam

Someone claiming to be from the bank or HMRC saying there is a problem with your account or tax bill, requesting your security details and your PIN.

Pensions and investments scam

You could be called about an "unmissable investment opportunity" of offered pension liberation or bonuses.

Missed calls scam

This is where you receive a voicemail message asking you to call a number back, but the number is a premium rate line, costing you money which goes to the scammers.

Lottery or prize scam

You may be told you have won a large prize and asked to pay a processing fee or call a premium rate line to claim your prize.