O/T Local Council Scam?

[redrobo]

My mother in law has received a demand in writing from the Directorate of Communities and the Environment of Lancaster City Council.

It's for payment of Garden Waste Collection on a yearly contract.

Our concern is that it is NOT on Council headed paper and whilst it may be genuine I would have expected anything from a Council department should have been on Council headed paper.

I rang the council and got short shift from the person who was not at all helpful and couldn't confirm if the letter was genuine or not.

Maybe some of SVers have received a similar demand and are as concerned that it could be yet another scam. Of course it could be genuine and our concerns are misplaced.

[Gone_Shrimping]

My mother in law has received a demand in writing from the Directorate of Communities and the Environment of Lancaster City Council.

It's for payment of Garden Waste Collection on a yearly contract.

Our concern is that it is NOT on Council headed paper and whilst it may be genuine I would have expected anything from a Council department should have been on Council headed paper.

I rang the council and got short shift from the person who was not at all helpful and couldn't confirm if the letter was genuine or not.

Maybe some of SVers have received a similar demand and are as concerned that it could be yet another scam. Of course it could be genuine and are concerns are misplaced.

I got the same letter as you today up at Higher Heysham and my mother also received the same letter in Heysham Central. We both subscribed to it last year so I thought it would be just to renew ready for the 1st April. I will hold fire before paying just in case.

[Lonesome Prawn]

The garden waste collection service has been chargeable for about 3 years now - you can do it online....

https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins-recyc ... collection

[redrobo]

The garden waste collection service has been chargeable for about 3 years now - you can do it online....

https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins-recyc ... collection

They ask for payment on line which drew our concerns about it being yet ANOTHER scam particularly when not on Council headed paper.

[Lonesome Prawn]

I haven’t seen the letter so I can’t comment on whether it’s kosher or not!

I do my renewal each year by going in through the Lancaster City Council main website and then following the link on the main page through to bins & recycling.

Just obviously don’t respond by clicking on any links posted in an email or text.

[morecambegeek]

A paper letter Directing you to the council website to make a payment screams scam.

[redrobo]

A paper letter Directing you to the council website to make a payment screams scam.

Exactly hence why I posted this message.

What amazed me was the response from the Council was unhelpful to say the least....it appears that I'm the first to question the letter and was made to feel like a 'trouble maker'.....WHO ME....

[morecambegeek]

What scam do you think they're trying to pull exactly?

[Bare bum]

What scam do you think they're trying to pull exactly?

The possibilities are endless. This week on our bin collection day I heard the bin lorry outside and went to check on them. Well, although it was a Lancaster City Council vehicle two of the operatives were not wearing City Council all weather jackets. I acted quickly and moved my bin back into the drive and concealed it with brush wood. Luckily I got away with it and my bin was not scammed. When I phoned the council they were less than sympathetic. But my rubbish will not end up on ebay. It pays to be vigilant on these matters.

Anybody know if the tip is open?

[captain sparkle]

It's definitely a scam!
Having to pay extra to have your waste taken away? the very idea!!
last time I paid I had 8 collections of green waste that year, that's £5 a pop in new money!
That's a scam if ever there was one!!

[marky No.1]

Im happy to say i took a 55" tv, 2 monitors, an ice machine and a fax machine to the tip without a problem

[thedoc]

[quote="redrobo": What amazed me was the response from the Council was unhelpful to say the least..quote]

I rang the council's Parking Services recently. I was half expecting the woman I spoke there to break into German - it was like talking to the bloody Gestapo!