North Norfolk residents are being targeted by scamming businesses claiming to aid individuals appealing against their council tax bands.

The North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has received reports of people being asked to hand over bank details to third parties, who claim to aid residents in a process which is in fact free.

The NNDC said: 'Employing one of these companies does not help or influence the outcome of an appeal, and is a complete waste of money.'

These businesses are also trying to impose a fee for simply filling out a form, irrespective of whether the application to a lower-tax band is successful or not.

Councillor Wyndham Northam, NNDC cabinet member for revenues and benefits, said: 'If you are a council-tax payer and you want to appeal your council-tax band, it is easy to do this yourself and there is absolutely no charge for doing so.

'Some private operators are very clever at selling their services, but signing up with them means paying an unnecessary fee and receiving absolutely nothing in return that council-tax payers can't do themselves.'

The NNDC are advising that residents should be wary of cold callers, particularly those who are asking for bank details.

To apply for a council-tax re-evaluation, visit www.gov.uk/council-tax-appeals/challenge-your-band, or call 03000 501 501.