FRAUDSTERS claiming to work for council tax teams are targeting York residents in telephone and doorstep scams.

City of York Council has received complaints from people approached by hoaxers offering to obtain council tax rebates for them and helping them to query bandings so they can get a refund.

Some residents have also been told they had already been awarded a rebate and were asked for a fee and a percentage of any sum they received.

Judith Fardon, of the council’s consumer advice and trading standards team, said: “It is believed residents were targeted because the fraudsters had some information about them, but some were also asked to confirm their bank details.

“We would always advise any consumer to take extreme caution before giving their bank details to any cold caller.

“If residents want to query their council tax band, they can do so at no cost by contacting their local Valuation Office Agency on 0845 602 1507.”

She said anybody who has been visited by potential fraudsters regarding rebates should phone Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.