South Ayrshire's new council leader has pledged to demolish Ayr's Station Hotel — if he can't get the building's owner round the negotiating table.
11.05.2022 - 16:27 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Householders are being warned of a new energy scam in which cold-callers are pretending to offer rebates from councils.
It comes after the government announced details of a £150 council tax rebate earlier this year, to help ease the rising cost of energy bills. Last month saw energy prices rocket, with the average Brit paying more than double for their gas and electricity.
On April 1, energy regulator Ofgem hiked its energy price cap by 54 per cent. The energy price cap, which limits the rates a supplier can charge for each unit of gas and electricity you use, jumped by £693 from £1,277 to £1,971. Prepayment customers are being worse hit, with a jump of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017, and that's without the possibility of further hikes, with wholesale gas prices increasing regularly.
Read more:Full list of energy prices with British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF and more as millions set to receive new bills
The new scam involves criminals calling householders and stating that they are from the local council. They then explain a refund is due, and ask for bank details in order to pay out the £150 rebate. But according to those who have already fallen foul of this scam, handing over these details has led to large sums of money being deducted from their bank accounts shortly after the phone call.
The council tax rebate is available to most properties in bands A-D, around four-fifths of homes in England, to ease the burden of the cost of living crisis. Households which pay council tax by direct debit will receive the rebate directly into their bank account, while others will be sent a letter with details of how to claim.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has said council workers will never ask for bank details over the phone,
South Ayrshire's new council leader has pledged to demolish Ayr's Station Hotel — if he can't get the building's owner round the negotiating table.
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