Council Tax band scam

Not sure if this scam has reached Harringay yet but just in case it does:

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) would like to warn householders about unscrupulous individuals and companies that offer to reduce your council tax by challenging your council tax band. They may telephone you or appear personally at your door. Here are some examples of the tactics used to try and get you to part with your money:

• charging an up-front fee and then not challenging your band on your behalf, but blaming the VOA for not taking any action
• insisting you're definitely in the wrong band, when in fact your band is correct
• saying they are from the local council or VOA and asking for your bank details so they can provide a refund. You may then find that money is taken from your account
• claiming that the VOA charges you to challenge your band, when you can do this for free
• claiming that you must, by law, be represented by an agent to challenge your band, when in fact anyone can do this
• saying that the VOA won't reduce your band, without the help of an agent, because the government is short of money.

Here are some do's and don'ts to help you avoid falling victim to these scammers:

DO:

• remember that you can have your band checked for free by contacting your local valuation office
• phone the cold callers office to confirm that they are who they say they are
• inform the police if you believe that anyone is impersonating staff from your local council or the VOA
• dial 999 if a cold caller refuses to leave your home
• contact Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk, if you feel you have been the victim of a council tax scam.

DON'T:

• give your bank details to anyone that contacts you by phone or who calls in person
• let anyone into your home without seeing appropriate identification
• feel under pressure from a cold caller to pay an immediate up-front fee. Take the time you need to think about it
• accept cold callers claims about your band without seeing evidence or proof of what they are claiming. There is nothing wrong with being sceptical
• speak to anyone that is reluctant to give you their company address or contact details.

If you feel that the band on your home is wrong, then all you have to do is contact your local valuation office and explain why you think it is incorrect. They will also ask you to confirm that the details they hold about your home are correct. They will listen to your views and if they agree that the band is wrong, they will change it. Bands can occasionally go up as well as down.

You can find more information on how to contact your local valuation office in England and Wales on the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk