STROUD District Council is warning residents to be wary of companies offering to arrange council tax refunds on their behalf.

Stroud and Dursley residents have reported concerns about letters offering to help them reduce their council tax.

The letters appear to be part of a wider mailshot as it quotes an address for council tax reduction which does not appear to be a local address.

June Cordwell, chairman of SDC’s community services committee, said: "Over the past week we have been made aware of a company which is writing to residents in the district, quoting incorrect information on property bands and implying that neighbours have already benefited from a change in their council tax band and a large refund."

The letter states that the firm believes the household is in the wrong band and could reduce its council tax bill by £325 a year.

The company will claim a fee of 30% + vat based on the refund and this would apply to the full refund amount and not just the saving on a year’s council tax.

SDC and Gloucestershire Trading Standards are encouraging residents to ignore these letters and are reiterating that residents with queries regarding their council tax banding should contact the Valuation Office, the agency which sets the council tax bands, directly and free of charge.

Martin Bruton of Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: "The letter does not explain that a reassessment of the council tax value could result in a potential increase and also refers to terms and conditions which are only available by contacting the company."

Trading Standards also advises that consumers should not give personal details in response to unsolicited letters or phone call unless they are confident of the legitimacy of the company and should be wary of signing any forms unless they have full details of the obligations in the contract.

Mr Bruton added: "These latest concerns follow numerous calls to the council in April when residents were cold called by phone or visited on their doorstep by companies offering a similar service.

"Taking up these offers is likely to leave residents unnecessarily out of pocket."

Any householder who thinks that their property is in the wrong band can contact the Valuation Office and any refund will be paid in full to them.

More information can be found on the Valuation Office’s website at www.voa.gov.uk or by calling the Valuation Office Agency on 03000 501501.