South Hams residents are being warned to watch out for crooks trying to scam them over their council tax bills.

Scammers pretending to work for the council are phoning residents and claiming that they are from the council tax department.

They then inform residents that they are in arrears with their council Tax and that they need to pay by card to settle their account.

The caller then requests card details.

A council spokesman said: ’If you receive one of these calls, do not give out any personal information, particularity your bank account details or your debit or credit card details, end the call as quickly as possible.

’South Hams District Council will never contact you in this way and any council tax owed will relate to a bill we have sent you.’