Medium riskGovernment, Tax & Legal Scams

Council Tax Scam

This scam impersonates your local council to get at your bank and card details. A text, email, or phone call claims you are due a council tax refund or rebate, or that you owe arrears that must be settled at once. It then directs you to a fake page that looks official and asks for bank or card information to process the supposed refund or payment. The wording often mixes the appeal of money owed to you with the pressure of a threat. Real councils use official channels, send letters about genuine accounts, and do not ask you to hand over full bank or card details through a link in an unexpected message.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Local tax impersonation scam
Main red flag
An unexpected message claims a council tax refund or arrears and asks for your bank or card details through a link rather than your official council account.
What to do first
Do not use the link. Contact your council using the phone number or website printed on a previous bill or found through an official directory.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam impersonates your local council to get at your bank and card details. A text, email, or phone call claims you are due a council tax refund or rebate, or that you owe arrears that must be settled at once. It then directs you to a fake page that looks official and asks for bank or card information to process the supposed refund or payment. The wording often mixes the appeal of money owed to you with the pressure of a threat. Real councils use official channels, send letters about genuine accounts, and do not ask you to hand over full bank or card details through a link in an unexpected message.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: "Notice from your local council: you are due a council tax refund of 167.40 for an overpayment. Confirm your bank details to receive your rebate within 3 working days: [suspicious link]"

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • You are told you are owed a council tax refund out of the blue and asked to confirm bank or card details.
  • A message claims you are in arrears and threatens court action or bailiffs unless you pay immediately.
  • The link goes to a page that asks for full bank details, card numbers, or online banking logins.
  • The contact arrives by text or email rather than the official letters councils typically use for accounts.
  • There is pressure to act within hours or risk losing the refund or facing extra charges.

What to do

  • Contact your council directly using details from a genuine bill or an official local government directory.
  • Check whether you actually have a credit or arrears by logging in to your official council tax account.
  • Remember that genuine refunds are usually processed without you entering bank details on a linked page.
  • Report suspicious council tax messages to your council and to your national fraud reporting service.

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not submit any bank, card, or login details, and close the page if you have not yet entered them.
  • If you shared bank or card details, contact your bank or card provider as soon as possible.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that used the same login and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Monitor your statements for unexpected payments and report anything unfamiliar to your bank.

What not to do

  • Do not enter bank or card details on a page reached through a link in an unexpected message.
  • Do not let threats of court action or bailiffs pressure you into paying before you have verified the claim.
  • Do not assume a message is genuine just because it shows your name or address, which can be obtained elsewhere.

Similar scams

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A TV licence scam is an email or text pretending to be from the TV licensing body. It typically claims your licence could not be renewed, a payment failed, or that you are owed a refund, and links to a fake page asking for your bank and card details. The genuine licensing body contacts people through official channels and does not ask you to confirm bank or card details by following a link in a text or email.
High risk Text Message

DVLA Text Scam

This scam sends a text posing as the DVLA, claiming your vehicle tax failed, a refund is owed, or your details need updating, then links to a fake page that collects your bank and card details.
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Fake Court Fine Scam

In this scam, a call, email, text, or letter claims you have an unpaid court fine, parking penalty, or speeding fine, and demands immediate payment to avoid arrest or extra charges. The contact often uses official-sounding language, threats, and unusual payment methods such as gift cards, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency. Real courts and enforcement bodies follow formal processes and do not threaten instant arrest over the phone. Pausing to verify any fine through official channels is the safest response.

Frequently asked questions

How does my real council contact me about council tax?
Councils generally use official channels such as posted letters and your online council tax account for matters about your bill. They do not typically ask you to confirm full bank or card details through a link in a text or email. If a message does this, treat it with caution and verify it directly.
I genuinely overpaid. How do real refunds work?
Genuine council tax refunds are usually arranged through your existing account or by a method the council already holds, not by asking you to enter bank details on an unfamiliar page. If you think you are owed money, contact the council directly to check rather than trusting an unexpected message.
The message threatened bailiffs. Should I pay quickly?
Threats and tight deadlines are pressure tactics commonly used in scams. Real arrears follow a formal process with written notice, and you have time to check. Pause, contact your council using verified details, and confirm whether any genuine debt exists before paying anyone.
What if I already gave my details?
Contact your bank or card provider promptly so they can help protect your account. Change passwords on any affected accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and keep an eye on your statements. Report the incident to your council and your national fraud reporting service.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.