PEOPLE are being urged to ignore cold callers promising to rectify an overpayment of council tax.

Phone scammers have been targeting residents in Darwen offering to claw back £2,000 in overpaid council tax if the homeowner pays an upfront charge of £120.

One resident said she was contacted by scammers and instantly knew something wasn’t right.

She said: “I was told by a woman and then a man on the phone that this was ‘straight up’ and legitimate.

“I knew this was probably a scam so I told them I would think about it and put the phone down.

“Why would I have to pay them £120 and hand over card details to get money back I’m already owed?

“It’s a horrible thing to do. I went down to the town hall to tell the council and they said they have had others call in about this.

“I hope they are caught and stopped.”

Cllr Dave Smith, who sits on Darwen Town Council, said: “The council will never ever ring up asking for your bank details.

“If someone is ringing up about that then it is certainly a scam.

“People should be really wary.

“Most people, elderly people especially, are well up to date with their council tax.”

Police also urged residents to never disclose their bank details unless they were 100 per cent sure the person was legitimate.

A police spokesman said: “Scammers are extremely persuasive and as a result people hand over money.

“If you receive a call like this, or are in any doubt about the person calling, please hang up straight away and use official numbers to make contact with your bank and the named company.”

“You can never be too safe.”

Anyone concerned or knows who is responsible should call police on 101.