Forest of Dean District Council is warning residents to be wary of bogus callers from a company claiming to be working on behalf of the council.

Callers are advising residents that the council tax banding on their property may be too high and offering to reduce it for a fee. They then continue to ask for personal information, including bank details. Several residents have contacted the council after being targeted by the scam calls.

Cllr Paul Hiett, cabinet member for communities & parish and town councils said: "We urge residents to always be wary of phone calls of this nature. This is a nationwide telephone council tax banding scam which is currently targeting our district.

"The council will never use a third party to contact a taxpayer in this way and we urge anybody receiving a call relating to a reduction in their council tax banding to end the call immediately and to never provide personal information over the phone, especially bank details.

"If you have any doubt about a phone call relating to council tax or property bandings, call the council on 01594 810000 and ask to speak to a member of the council tax team. Should you wish to appeal against your council tax banding, you can do this yourself for free by contacting the District Valuation Office on 03000 501 501."