UNSCRUPULOUS companies are cold-calling small businesses and claiming to represent the Government on business rates.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is warning ratepayers in Lancashire to take care when appointing agents to handle appeals against their rateable values.
The warning follows a number of serious complaints from businesses about calls from people operating in the county claiming to be monitoring rating appeals on behalf of the Government.
Jackie Potter, who is in charge of the VOA office covering Lancashire and Cumbria, said: "If you feel your rateable value is incorrect you can make an appeal directly to the VOA and it costs nothing.
"If you have any doubts about whether the person you are speaking to is genuine, please call us."
The VOA said businesses should beware the "hard sell" of telesales and doorstep salesman and ask searching questions before signing anything, and understand the terms of any contract offered. The agent should also be willing to put potential clients in touch with other satisfied clients.
The VOA independently reviews rateable values every five years.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article