A small number of Auckland ratepayers have received phone calls from a man claiming to be from the council’s ‘tax department’.

The man claims the ratepayer had overpaid his / her rates and that they would receive a rates refund. He asks for a cheque and / or bank account details.

In one case, the man offered to visit the ratepayer's home to pick up a cheque of $100.

The ratepayers realised that these calls were not from Auckland Council and suffered no financial loss. Still, the council is concerned there may be victims of this fraudulent activity in the future.

Representatives of Auckland Council may ring ratepayers who have applied for the rates rebate scheme to validate their financial information. However to be eligible for a rates refund the council must receive written confirmation of the bank account. There is no charge by Auckland Council for processing a refund and all rates refunds are made by direct credit.

Auckland Council encourages anyone who has received a call of this kind to inform its call centre - (09) 301 0101. The council has briefed its customer services staff on the subject.