A Methilhill man suspected he was being targeted by a scam when he received a letter saying Fife Council were reassessing his council tax band.
Just days after council assessor Bruce Clark was quoted as saying there were, “No plans to carry out a council tax rebanding exercise in Fife,” Michael Noordijk was informed the local authority wanted to look at his property to assess his council tax band.
Mr Clark made the comment last week in a campaign telling householders about scam merchants who phone up with bogus offers of council tax rebates and seek bank details.
Mr Noordijk, of Dunsire Street, was wary and phoned the council.
He said, “I received a letter on Saturday saying they wanted to come round on Tuesday regarding my council tax banding.
“They wanted to gain entrance into the property and I said, ‘No, that’s not going to happen.’
“At first, I thought it was one of those scams.
“They were a bit unclear about the reasons for the exercise, but he said they were just being done on a random basis.
“I accused him of increasing the council’s frozen revenue by using underhand tactics, when the Scottish Parliament has said firmly it is not increasing council tax.”
Fife Council assistant assessor Jim Easton confirmed letters had been sent to 14 Methilhill residents about council tax reassessments because concerns about discrepancies in bandings had been raised by the public.
He said there was to be no “general revaluation” of council tax bands.
“In this instance 14 letters have been sent out to householders as it has been brought to our attention that there could be discrepancies in this area.
“We are therefore investigating to make sure the system is as fair and equitable as possible,” he said.
“When a proposal is received the concerns mentioned are investigated.
“This may lead to reduction or increase of certain bandings in the locality.”