A WARNING has been issued to residents in West Berkshire following a council tax scam involving an elderly couple.

The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) explained an elderly man called into West Berkshire Council switchboard to say a lady called Kimberly Collins, from council tax, had called them to take a payment over the phone for council tax arrears.

This happened on March 17.

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The man was advised no one under that name works for West Berkshire Council.

Unfortunately his wife had already given 'Kimberly' their bank card.

The PPP said: "We are working with the couple to help them see if they can stop the payment."

It has since issued advice to residents urging them to never pay anyone, or give any bank details, from an unsolicited call such as this.

It said if someone calls you saying they are from your bank, the council, HMRC etc. and asks for payment take their name and any reference they have given you and say you will call back the organisation yourself.

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Then independently research a number, never take the contact details they give you, and call the organisation directly.

If you owe money you will have received a letter in the first instance, and a request for payment will not come via a call such as this.