TRADING standards officers are warning East Yorkshire householders about fraudsters who are targeting the area for a telephone scam.

The district council is warning that that criminals, posing as council officers or staff from a central claims court in London phone residents with claims that the householder is owed a council tax refund.

They ask for the resident’s bank account or card details so the money can be credited to the resident’s account. But the refund claim is phoney.

The council’s council tax department warns that it does not operate like this.

Colin Briggs, trading standards services manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said “Anyone who is due a refund on their council tax bill will be well aware of it as they will have been in contact with either the council or the valuation office agency.

“If you receive an unexpected call concerning council tax it is almost certain to come from someone who wishes to commit fraud against you.”

Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: “Members of the public must not give out any bank account or credit card details to any unsolicited telephone calls that ask for credit card or bank account numbers.

“The only reason they are asking you for this is to enable them to take your own money.”