council tax scam in Mid Sussex

Be aware of council tax scam in Mid Sussex

10 September 2014

Residents are being urged to be aware of a scam involving offenders claiming to be offering council tax refunds.

A number of people in Mid Sussex have been phoned and told that they had been placed in the wrong council tax band and that they should get a sum of money back.

The offender then told the victims that they would need to pay a fee via their debit or credit card to get their full refund and asked for their card details.

A number of elderly and vulnerable people across the district have been contacted and have given their card details out.

It is not yet known whether any of the victims have lost money in the scam or if there are more people who have been targeted but who have not contacted either Sussex Police or Mid Sussex District Council.

There could also be victims in other parts of Sussex.

Sergeant Graeme Prentice said: "We need to speak to anyone who has been contacted by those involved in the scam so that we can track down and arrest those responsible.

"They appear to be deliberately targeting the vulnerable and the elderly and we want to stop them before they steal anyone else's money.

"If you have elderly or vulnerable residents or neighbours please make them aware of this scam so they do not become a victim."

Councillor Christopher Snowling, Mid Sussex District Council's cabinet member for health and community, said: "The council will never contact you out of the blue to ask for personal information like your bank details.

"I would like to urge our residents to be vigilant and not give out their personal details unless they are absolutely sure of the caller's identity.

"If you're in any doubt, please call our switchboard on 01444 458166 to check a council number is genuine."

The process of claiming a council tax refund does not involve telephoning the person eligible for a refund. Councils will write to the person eligible for a refund and then send a cheque or make a direct payment into their bank once they confirm that person still resides at the relevant address. No fee will ever be requested to process a refund.

If you have been contacted as part of the scam or you know someone who has but has not reported it, please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101.

 

Best Regards   John   John Wright MBE Chair. Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation. Mobile:   07917385213 Business:01444 247368 Email: enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk Web:  www.sussexnwfed.org.uk

Attempted Burglary - Southwater

Serial 1416 of 08/09/2014 relates to an attempt burglary at a property in Southwater.

 

Sometime between 17:45 and 18:15 hours on 08/09/2014 a property in Kings Lane, Southwater was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were trying to gain entry by forcing a rear window.       

 

Entry was not gained by offenders.     

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 1416 of 08/09/2014.

 

Burglary - Colgate

Serial 1352 of 08/09/2014 relates to a burglary at a property in Colgate.

 

Sometime between 14:30 and 17:30 hours on 08/09/2014 a property in Forest Road, Colgate was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were able to gain entry by forcing a rear window.       .

 

Items taken include laptops.     

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 1352 of 08/09/2014.

Burglary - Horsham

Serial 1015 of 04/09/2014 relates to a burglary at a property in Horsham.

 

Sometime between 12:10 and 16:20 hours on 04/09/2014 a property in Campions Road, Horsham was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were able to gain entry by forcing open the front door to the property.      .

 

No items believed stolen.    

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 1015 04/09/2014.     .

Burglary

Serial 0029 of 20/08/2014 relates to a burglary at a property in Horsham.

 

Sometime between 00:20 and 00:40 hours on 20/08/2014 a property in Giblets Lane, Horsham was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were able to gain entry by attempting to climb in to an open window in the downstairs of the property.      .

 

Items taken include a set of keys.    

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0029 20/08/2014.

 

Burglaries in Horsham

Serial 0807 of 13/08/2014 relates to a Garage break in Beech Road, Horsham.

 

During day time hours on 13/08/2014 a number of garages were broken in to in several roads including Sycamore Avenue, The Pines and Beech Road in Horsham.

 

A property In Church Road, Horsham was also subject to an attempt burglary.

 

Three males in their late teens have been arrested in connection with all the above burglaries.

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0807 of 13/08/2014.

 

Horsham Neighbourhood Policing team (HorshamNPT@sussex.pnn.police.uk)

 

If you report an incident to the police via 101, online at http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/report-something-online or e-mail on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, please remember to say if you are from NHW, so that Police can see how effective NHW is.

Scam

Council Tax Scam

 

An elderly man in Shoreham was contacted over the phone by someone claiming to be from the Council and that he was entitled to a council tax refund. He was given the contact number for the council as 0844 800 9426, however when it was dialled, it does not appear to be a valid number.

 

The suspect then said that they would need to take a fee of £55 via debit or credit card to process the refund. The victim realised this was a scam and did not pay any money. A friend of the victim subsequently called Adur Council to confirm whether this was a legitimate call – it was not and there are other people who have experienced calls of this nature.

 

The process of claiming a Council Tax refund does not involve telephoning the person eligible for a refund. For example Adur and Worthing Council will write to the person eligible for a refund and then send a cheque or make a direct payment into their bank once they confirm that person still resides at the relevant address, and no fee would ever be requested to process a refund.

 

Please make sure that you circulate this to all your family and friends and especially those vulnerable or older members of the community who may not have access to this information electronically.

 

Councillor Angus Dunn, Cabinet Member for Resources at Adur District Council, said:

“It is distressing to hear that some of our residents have been targeted with this scam.

“When any refunds are due, we always contact the individual concerned in writing, never by telephone in the first instance.

“If anyone receives a call of this nature asking for money, then I urge them to report it to Sussex Police using the 101 hotline number.”

 

Horsham Neighbourhood Policing team (HorshamNPT@sussex.pnn.police.uk)

 

If you report an incident to the police via 101, online at http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/report-something-online or e-mail on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, please remember to say if you are from NHW, so that Police can see how effective NHW is.