WEST Somerset residents are being warned to be wary after reports of bogus calls being made to households in the area about Council Tax.

The caller states that they are from a company which, for a fee, can arrange to reduce the household’s Council Tax for them.

A spokesman for West Somerset Council, which collects Council Tax in the district, said the company involved was not working for the authority and had no connection with the council: “Nor do we have any companies working for us in this way,” she said.

“We would advise anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be working on behalf of West Somerset Council to reduce Council Tax charges and asking for a fee, to end the call straightaway.”

Advice about Council Tax Band reductions, discounts, exemptions and Council Tax Support is available on council’s website at www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk or by telephoning 01643 703704.

The warning coincides with an Avon and Somerset Constabulary campaign to raise awareness of doorstep, online and telephone fraud and how to prevent it.

The force said fraudsters used a range of tactics to try to con people out of money, or out of personal information which they could then use to gain access to their money.

Many turn up on doorsteps claiming to be officials from councils or utility companies, others telephone or email.

The force’s “Spot It, Stop It” campaign is being piloted by the Home Office and is aimed at those aged over 60. It is supported by Action Fraud, Trading Standards, Victim Support, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch.

A spokesman for the force said fraudsters used the same tactics nationwide and there were a number of simple steps people could take to prevent themselves from becoming victims. These include:

l Obtaining at least three written quotes and references before having any work done.

l Calling the police if a caller refused to give their details.

l Checking a company was trustworthy by making independent checks, such as calling the National Consumer helpline or Action Fraud.

l Calling the company the caller claimed to be working for by using a number looked up independently and not one provided by the caller.

l Waiting at least ten minutes or using a different phone line to make any other calls after receiving a telephone call from a potential fraudster as the bogus caller could stay on the line even after the person they had called had hung up.