Residents are being warned to be on their guard against people calling them, posing as council officials.

The warning comes after several residents were contacted by a man claiming to be from the council. The caller told the residents they were entitled to a council tax rebate and asked for the residents' bank details.

The council is aware that fraudsters have also been operating in other areas across the country.

The council is not phoning people to offer them rebates.

Anyone with any concerns about a caller purporting to be from the council should take down the person’s name and which department they are from.

They should then call back via the council’s main switchboard on 020 8825 5000 and ask to be put through to that person.

Council Leader, Councillor Julian Bell, said: "We’re concerned that someone is posing as a council officer in order to get residents’ bank or credit card details."

"People should always be very careful before giving out their details and if they receive an unsolicited call like this I’d ask them to hang-up and report the matter on the fraud hotline."

The council’s audit and investigation department is aware of the incident and is liaising with police.

Residents who believe they have been contacted by a fraudster should call the fraud hotline immediately on 0800 328 6453 giving as much information as possible about the call, including the telephone number it was made from if possible.