Allerdale Borough Council has been contacted by a number of customers saying they have received an email that appears to come from the tax office (HMRC) and suggests they are due to receive a council tax refund. The email, from a “@tax.com” address, contains a link which when clicked opens a website that firstly asks for postcode details before requesting bank information. 
 
These emails are believed to be a phishing scam and are not sent on behalf of the council. 
 
If customers are due a refund the council informs them by post. If the council has the customer’s bank details it pays the refund direct. If not, the customer is asked to contact the council to arrange a refund. 
 
The council is therefore advising anyone who receives any email of this type to not click on any links and delete it immediately.  
 
Konrad Hansen, Executive member with responsibility for customer services, said: “Unfortunately, it looks like this is a phishing exercise by someone trying to get hold of people’s financial details. I’d like to thank the customers who have contacted us already about this, and would recommend anyone who receives an email like this, or similar, to just delete it.” 
 
These emails have not come from the council, and the council’s email system has not been compromised in any way.