WARNINGS have been issued over bogus callers claiming to be from Scottish Borders Council asking for council tax payments.

A Kelso woman received a call from a man claiming to be from the council, who said that she had not paid her April instalment of Council Tax. 

The man wanted payment over the phone – but the resident refused as she had already paid at the Post Office.

Scottish Borders Council want to urge members of the public that they will never call people to demand payment of unpaid Council Tax. 

A council spokesperson said: "Please be very wary of unsolicited phone calls and NEVER give personal details including bank or credit card details.

"To protect yourself, you could consider making your phone number ex-directory.

"Never give out any personal information unless you are the one who made the call and you are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to.

"Don’t give out your credit card or bank card details to strangers on the telephone.

"Never tell somebody your bank PIN number, even if they claim to be the bank or police. If the caller is genuine they will never ask for this information.

"Don’t give out information which may infer that you live alone, are older or vulnerable."