Customers are being told that that their water bill is overdue and payment is required immediately via the phone.
Council has said it has only received two calls about the scam at this stage, both relating to the water bills, but wanted to be on the “front foot” in case others in the community had experienced a similar call, but had not alerted the council.
“We are also aware that customers of other corporate businesses (large organisations) are experiencing these types of scams regularly, so it is a reminder that local councils are not immune and that we should always be alert,” a council representative said.
Council won’t chase up customers for payment over the phone, and said that customers would be contacted via mail or in some cases by email, but not by phone.
Council only sends reminder and final notices via mail.
If council officers do call a customer in relation to a billing inquiry, it is generally to return a customer’s call.
If customers do have any billing inquiries they should contact council’s customer service team, which can easily look up account details and provide accurate information in relation to their account.
Customers are also reminded that they should only ever make payments by one of the methods noted on their bill.
If residents feel they have been scammed, please contact Scamwatch or the ACCC at www.scamwatch.gov.au
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