Land & Property Services (LPS), the agency responsible for collecting rates, is urging householders to be on their guard against bogus callers.

The warning follows an incident in recent days in the Belfast area.

A caller, claiming to be a council tax official, tried to obtain credit card details from a householder. They claimed that they were due a council tax rebate. In Northern Ireland people do not pay council tax but instead pay rates.

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Householders should be wary. At times, LPS may contact ratepayers either by phone or in person to discuss outstanding rates or to seek further information about a rate account.

When LPS staff phone you, they will always ask you to confirm security information in relation to your rate account.

On occasions it is necessary for LPS staff to call at customers’ doors. These staff will carry identification which includes their name and photograph.

Householders should take care to examine the ID of anyone calling at their door or ringing them. If in doubt, telephone 101, where staff will be able to confirm if the caller is genuine.

In an emergency, you can also ring the police on 999 or 0845 600 8000.

(GK)