A scam email appearing to be from HMRC has been sent to Medway residents telling them they are owed money for overpaid council tax.

The email is headed, submit tax refund, and asks recipients to click a link to apply for their refund.

One resident who lives in Rochester received an email telling him he was owed almost £500.

He said: “The email told me to click on a link, which I didn’t do, and presumably enter my bank details.

“I rang my local authority, Medway Council, and gave them the details. I was told lots of other Medway Council tax payers had received the same email.”

The email read: “Please note that, at this moment we have to refund you 495.94 GBP council tax for the last two years. Click refund and fill out the request.”

It had the following address at the bottom; HMRC FoI Act Team, Room 1C/23, 100 Parliament Street, London.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “We haven’t seen this scam before. Anyone who receives similar correspondence should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”