Central Bedfordshire Council warns of bogus ‘business rates’ telephone scam

Central Bedfordshire is urging small businesses to act with caution if they receive a suspicious telephone call regarding business rates.

A local business has reported a telephone call to the council which they had recently received, whereby the caller claimed to be from “Central Bedfordshire Council” and requested a payment of £124 for its business rates bill for 2020/21.

The caller provided the business with bank account details and explained that this was because the “council is currently closed” during the coronavirus outbreak.

Fortunately, the business pays zero business rates due to small business rate relief and contacted the Central Bedfordshire Council to check whether the call was genuine.

This telephone call is a SCAM.

If you ever receive a suspicious telephone call or suspect a scam, please report it to by calling 0808 223 1133.