LAST Thursday, someone from an organisation called Council Tax Review rang saying we had been overcharged and at least £1,833 council tax refund was due.

This man so unded like a genuine council official and as banding can change with home improvements, I believed him. However, when he invited me to settle an administration fee of £165 over the phone, I became suspicious and said no.

He gave 0845 680 9179 as a (very expensive) contact number, but the call came from a different number in Huddersfield.

A call to our councillor, Ann Reid, brought a very quick response from City Finance Centre confirming that council tax information is not confidential but available online and press releases had been issued concerning the scam, but no action could be taken as Council Tax Review acted within the law.

The law needs to be reviewed so that scams like this can be dealt with.

Michael Thompson, Skiddaw, York.