Scam library · United Kingdom · Updated 20 October 2026
Council tax rebate call scams: what they say, how to spot it, what to do
A caller offering to lower a household bill may sound helpful. Check your council tax account through the council before sharing details or paying a fee.
What they say
Illustrative examples, written in our own words:
- Your property is in the wrong band and we can arrange a refund today.
- A council tax rebate is ready, but we need your card details to send it.
- Pay our processing charge now or you will lose the repayment.
- We are calling for the council and need you to approve a banking notification.
How to spot it
- The caller cannot be independently matched to your council or a service you chose to use.
- A promised repayment requires an immediate card payment, banking code or account approval.
- They discourage you from checking the account through your council’s normal contact route.
What to do now
- End the call and find your council through GOV.UK or the details on a genuine council tax bill.
- Check your account and any rebate or banding issue with the council through that route.
- Distinguish a company offering a paid service from the council itself. Check its identity and terms before agreeing to anything.
If you already paid or shared details
Call your bank immediately on the number on your card, using a trusted device. After hanging up, 159 can connect you to participating UK banks; coverage and call charges depend on your provider. Explain what you sent or shared and ask about stopping payments and securing the account.
Tell the council through its genuine contact route if the caller used your account details or claimed to change your payment instructions. Ask your bank to check any unexpected Direct Debit or card payment as well as transfers.
Under Payment Systems Regulator rules, UK banks and payment firms must refund most eligible authorised push payment (APP) scam losses from UK Faster Payments transfers made on or after 7 October 2024, up to £85,000 per claim. This means you were tricked into authorising a transfer. Eligibility and exceptions apply. Cards, cash, international transfers and crypto payments are not automatically covered by this rule. Report promptly and ask the bank to explain its assessment, any excess and the relevant deadlines.
Keep messages and payment references. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Forward suspicious SMS texts to 7726 and emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, following GOV.UK reporting guidance. For message apps, use the app’s report and block tools. Reporting a message does not replace contacting your bank about a payment.
Questions people ask
How can I check whether the council called me?
End the call and use the contact details on a genuine council tax bill or find the council through GOV.UK.
Does an offer to challenge my band prove fraud?
No. Check who is offering the service, whether they are the council, and their terms independently before sharing details or paying.