The council has issued a statement over reports of fraudulent tax messages being received by local residents.

A number of residents have contacted the council after receiving fraudulent phone calls, texts and emails claiming to be from HMRC and saying they are taking you to court to claim unpaid tax.

The council reminds residents that the HMRC will never send notifications of a tax rebate or ask you to disclose personal/ payment information by email, text message or over the phone.

If you receive a fraudulent HMRC message, please follow GOV.UK's advice:

Forward suspicious emails to HMRC's phishing team: [email protected]

Forward suspicious text messages to 60599. Text messages will be charged at your network rate.

If HMRC needs to contact you about anything confidential they'll reply by phone or post.

For more information please click the red button below.