RESIDENTS are being warned to be aware of an email scam supposedly offering people a council tax refund.

Castle Point Council has issued the warning about emails purporting to come from HMRC's Freedom of Information Act team, asking personal details in order to receive a tax refund.

A spokesman said: "Castle Point Council does not ask for information in this way and will not cold call, text or email you asking for bank details or other personal information.

"If you are due any type of refund, we will contact you through the post or by email explaining the situation.

"We will never ask for your bank details or other personal information via text."

Anyone who receives a suspicious email is asked to delete it and report it to reportlite.actionfraud.police.uk.