Conniving criminals are exploiting fears surrounding the coronavirus with a new council tax scam.

The Covid-19 pandemic has left many people facing financial uncertainty, unsure about how the crisis will affect the way run-of-the-mill bills such as council tax are paid.

But scammers are attempting to profiteer from these anxieties by sending residents fraudulent messages offering "tax rebates", claiming to be from local authorities.

Canterbury City Council has shared an image of such a text, which says: "Due to the Covid-19 outbreak City Council wish to pay you 375.48 GBP as tax refund."

The messager then asks the recipient to follow a link to a website called "Covid 19 Care UK" to claim the supposed rebate, before adding: "Please StayHome and StaySafe."

The city council urges residents to stay vigilant against such hoaxes.

It tweeted: "Please remember that we will never send a text asking you to apply for a refund on overpaid council tax. If you have paid too much council tax, it will show on your bill.

"If you are due a refund it can be claimed using the form on our website."

For other examples of scams, visit the HMRC website.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury