South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is warning residents to be careful after receiving reports of scam emails being received by residents.
Residents have reported receiving emails claiming to be from SLDC suggesting the recipients are getting or may be eligible to receive Council Tax Reduction. The email contains a link to what appears to be a genuine government website which, once accessed, asks for a lot of sensitive personal information, including bank details and identifying information.
SLDC has reported the scam to Cumbria Constabulary.
Although SLDC does use email to communicate with some residents about certain matters, it will never ask for such personal information in this way.
Some residents may receive an email from SLDC this week about its annual canvass to check the information on its Electoral Register is up to date. This email is genuine – the email address is [email protected] and the subject line is “DO NOT IGNORE: Your Household Enquiry Form is inside this email.”
If you receive a scam email, report it as a “phishing attempt” via the Action Fraud website at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
If you have lost money as a result of a scam you should report it to the police as a crime.
Anybody who has any concerns about any communications claiming to be from South Lakeland District Council is encouraged to call the authority on 01539 733 333 for confirmation or to find out more.
More details about the annual canvass can be found at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/voting-and-elections/annual-canvass-2019-email/
