Cessnock residents are being warned about a new phone scam in which someone claims to be calling about overdue council land rates.
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Cessnock City Council has been made aware that someone is calling people in the Hunter region claiming to be from council and asking for payment details for overdue rates.
Council was alerted to the scam by a concerned Hunter local after they received a phone call from someone seeking payment details for a property in Cessnock.
The resident was immediately suspicious as they did not own property in the Cessnock Local Government Area.
Local ratepayers need to be particularly careful as the first rates notices for this financial year are being issued across the Cessnock LGA next week.
It should be noted council will only call residents seeking payment details if the resident has already initiated contact with council regarding a payment.
Cessnock council's corporate and community services director Robert Maginnity said residents needed to be on high alert and believed that a cautious approach was best.
"If you receive a call that is unsolicited, seems suspicious and the caller claims to be from Cessnock City Council you should hang up immediately and contact council," Mr Maginnity said.
Even if you're unsure about the call, council advises to terminate the call and contact council's customer Service team on 4993 4100.
Council have notified Telstra and Scamwatch about the incident.
If you receive a phone call you can report it at www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
Further information about scams is also available on the Scamwatch website.