RESIDENTS are being urged to remain vigilant after scam phone calls were reported in Worcester.

Worcester City Council published a reminder after several people complained of phone calls from people claiming to be from the council.

In the calls, which have also been reported in Malvern in recent times, the caller says they are from the council and that the person answering the call is owed money, usually around £80. This, according to the caller, is because of a council tax refund.

The person receiving the call is then asked what bank they are with, as well as their account details.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: "Please note that this is a SCAM - these calls are not from the City Council.

"Never give bank details over the phone to anyone claiming to give a council tax rebate - just hang up asap."

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Earlier this year, Worcestershire residents were warned of the same kind of phone scam.

A joint statement on behalf of Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon councils, said: "We would urge residents who receive a call like this to put the phone down and report it immediately to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 20.

"Nobody from any of the three South Worcestershire Councils would ever call you out of the blue to discuss an issue with your Council Tax and we would never ask you over the phone for your debit or credit card details if we did owe you a refund.

"If you believe your Council Tax is incorrect then you can find out how to challenge it at gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band."

West Mercia Police launched its own anti-fraud scheme last year, and is encouraging residents to be aware. For more information, go to westmercia.police.uk/news/west-mercia/news/2019/november/telephone-scam-awareness/