Stockport Council is reminding householders to be aware of some companies who promise to get their Council Tax bands lowered as reported earlier this year by Marketing Stockport.
The Council is aware that some companies are making false or misleading claims such as ‘we’re calling from the Council’ or ‘we’re dealing with the Council’, ‘you won’t get a reduction unless you use an agent who knows the ropes’, ‘the Valuation Office will charge you to challenge your band’, ‘you must use an agent to challenge your band’, ‘we don’t charge a fee’ and ‘we will refund your fee if you don’t get a reduction.’
The Council’s Trading Standards has issued the following advice to householders:
- You can have your band checked free of charge by contacting the Valuation Office on 03000 501501;
- Be wary of what a firm is telling you, no matter how convincing. Take time to check the facts with friends or relatives;
- Remember that if you pay them any money it is not easy to get it back, even if the firm is still in business in a few months’ time;
- Inform the police if you believe that anyone is impersonating staff from the Council or Valuation Office;
- Ring the Police on 101 (or if you feel threatened dial 999) if a sales rep or other doorstep caller refuses to leave your home when you tell them to;
If you suspect you have been the victim of a Council Tax scam phone the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06 to report it and to get advice.
- Don’t speak to anyone who is reluctant to give you their company address or contact details;
- Never give your bank details over the phone if you are not sure who you are dealing with;
- Never accept cold callers’ claims about your band without seeing evidence or proof of what they are claiming. There is nothing wrong with being sceptical.
- Don’t feel under pressure from a cold-caller to agree to an appointment. If they visit you, don’t agree to anything and don’t pay them on the day (even if they ‘guarantee’ to refund your money). Take a couple of days to think about it.
To avoid most unwanted marketing calls you can register with the Telephone Preference Service (the TPS) on 0845 070 0707 or visit their website at www.tpsonline.org.uk