Fake Council Tax Refund Text Scam Examples
This text pretends to be your local council saying a council tax refund is waiting, with a link to 'claim' it. The scammer's real goal is your online banking login or card details, captured on a convincing fake council payment page. The lever is an unexpected windfall — people rarely expect a scam to offer money rather than demand it, so guard drops. Councils never ask you to claim a refund via a texted link; refunds are applied automatically or paid by the method you already used. Do not tap the link — contact your council directly using the number on a genuine bill.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
[Council Name]: You have an outstanding council tax refund of [amount]. Claim at: [fake link] within 72 hours or it will be returned.
COUNCIL TAX: Our records show you are in credit by [amount]. To receive your refund, verify your bank details: [fake link]
Important: [Council Name] council tax overpayment of [amount] is pending. Please confirm your account details to receive your refund: [fake link]
What the scammer wants
To collect your bank sort code, account number, and personal details on a phishing page disguised as a council payment portal.
Red flags in the message
- Unsolicited refund notification from a council via text
- Link to a domain that is not the council's official website
- Short deadline threatening loss of the refund
- Request to enter bank details online to receive the repayment
- Generic or mismatched council name for your area
A safe response
Do not click the link. Log in to your council's official website or call them on the number listed on gov.uk to check whether any refund is owed.
What not to send
- Bank sort code and account number
- Personal identification details
- Any fee or 'processing payment'
What to do if you already replied
- Contact your bank immediately to monitor for fraudulent transfers
- Report the text to 7726 and to Action Fraud
- Check your council account directly for any genuine overpayment
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
I already clicked the link and entered my bank details — what should I do now?
Contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card, not any number from the text, and ask them to freeze the account or card. Change your online banking password from a different, trusted device. Report the text to your council and to your national fraud reporting service, and keep the message as evidence.
The text used my real name and address — how did they get that?
Scammers buy leaked personal data from previous breaches, scrape it from public records, or send bulk texts to guessed number ranges hoping some match real council tax payers. Knowing your name doesn't mean they have inside access to council or bank systems — it usually just means your details appeared in a data leak somewhere.
Is it safe to reply to the text to ask questions or say STOP?
No. Replying, even with 'STOP', confirms your number is active and monitored, which can lead to more scam texts. Delete the message or report it to your network's spam-reporting shortcode instead of replying.
How can I check if I'm actually owed a council tax refund?
Log in directly to your council's official website (typed manually, not via the text link) or call them using the number from a genuine bill or letter. Genuine refunds are usually applied to your account automatically or paid by the method you originally used, not claimed through a text link.