HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be on their guard against an e-mail scam promising a council tax refund in exchange for personal details.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has received concerns from residents who have received e-mails claiming to be from the Government informing them they are due a council tax refund.

The e-mail claims households were placed in the wrong band and promises refunds of hundreds of pounds in exchange for filling in a form.

Mark Edmondson, Ribble Valley Borough Council’s head of revenues and benefits, said: “At first glance the scam e-mails appear genuine, but they are not genuine and by clicking on the words, Refund Form, at the bottom of the e-mail residents will be forwarded to a web page that will request personal details and put them at risk.

“Residents should never give their personal details to anyone they are not sure of and if they receive the scam e-mail are advised to delete it immediately.”

People are asked to contact the police if they suspect suspicious behaviour.