‘UNSCRUPULOUS’ fraudsters have been targeting Slough residents with a council tax rebate email scam.

Fake emails have been circulating around Slough claiming to be from the government saying locals are due a council tax rebate.

Slough Borough Council were made aware of this subterfuge after being independently contacted by residents for verification and are now calling for everyone not to respond to the sham message.

Hints can be found in the email that it’s not genuine – including it being sent from a Hotmail account, spelling mistakes and the font changing in the email.

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Any emails, texts, and other unsolicited communications offering money to the addressee should be viewed with extreme caution and no personal information should be shared.

Slough Observer:

Residents are told to independently verify any such communications with who they are purporting to be.

Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: “The old adage is, if it looks too good to be true then it probably is.

“There are unscrupulous people out there who will use any hook to get people to part with their hard earned money.

“In the current situation when so many people have restricted finances due to the public health crisis, the offer of a rebate to steal money is just cruel.

“Please view any emails like this with extreme caution and do not part with any personal information.”

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If a resident receives a scam email it can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or to report@phishing.gov.uk, and for advice call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

If a resident is in immediate danger contact the police on 999 and contact the bank if you think you have been scammed.