Oxford City Council is warning Oxford businesses against business rates scams aimed at getting their personal bank details and conning them out of their money.
Scammers are contacting people by phone, text and email and posing as staff from the council, the Valuation Office Agency or the Tax Recovery Bureau in order to defraud them.
Known business rates scams
Paid too much and due a refund
Scammers will say you've paid too much business rates and are due a refund. The fraudsters offer to claim on your behalf for a fee.
Fact: The council will never ask for payment to make a business rates refund.
Incorrect valuation and due a refund
Scammers will say your business property is valued incorrectly and offer a refund in return for a fee.
Fact: Business property reassessments are free.
Business rates arrears
Scammers will demand payment for supposed business rates arrears. .
How to verify genuine contact
All Oxford City Council email addresses end with @oxford.gov.uk.
The council does ask for information from businesses to administer their business rates accounts, including refunds or arranging arrears collection. Get in touch with our team directly if you'd like to verify any contact you've received.
More information
Contact the Business Rates Team
Please include the topic of enquiry and your account number (if you have one) in the subject line of your email.
Address: Town HallSt Aldate's
Oxford
OX1 1BX
