A GANG of criminals is targeting Bolton households in a bid to con them out of their savings.

The crooks are operating a council tax scam in which they try to trick people into handing over their personal details.

It involves fraudsters posing as council staff who are calling residents to say they have paid too much council tax and then asking for their bank account details for refunds to be processed.

The conmen are known to have targeted households locally following complaints to police and Trading Standards.

Now people are being urged not to hand over their details to people over the phone.

Robert McDougall, aged 65, of Kearsley, was called on Tuesday, but he soon realised it was a scam.

He said: “They told me because I had always paid my council tax on time I was entitled to a refund.

They gave me a reference number and told me to call 0208 123 0965.

“They asked me for some personal details and wanted my bank details but I was not prepared to give it to them.

“I am sure it was a scam so I reported it to police and Trading Standards, but other people might not realise. It needs to be stopped.”

Bolton Council said a similar fraud has previously been reported in the borough, and the fraudsters have also targeted other areas of Greater Manchester.

Cllr Nick Peel, the council’s Executive member for housing, neighbourhoods and regulation, said: “Bolton Council does not run a refund scheme for people who regularly pay their council tax and a phone call of this nature would not be made by our council tax team.

“I would urge residents never to give out personal information unless they know who the caller is.”