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Scam installation letter

Derbyshire County Council has warned residents of a scam letter circulating using their name and demanding payment for an internet installation line.

Ethernet Cable

A convincing letter has been posted by fraudsters into residents’ houses using the council’s official logo and crest. It demands part payment for a fibre optic line allegedly needed by a neighbour to enable home working from a computer.

The fake letter claims that the addressee is liable for part of the bill with the rest to be paid by the council and the employer of the unnamed neighbour. The scam letter says that the work will take place in November and will involve digging at the front of the addressee's property.

The recipient is told to pay a specific sum to Derbyshire County Council by bank transfer, credit card or cheque by October 2013. An option to pay in four instalments is also provided.

Councillor Dave Allen, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: This letter isn't from us and we're not in the business of commissioning telecommunications work for private companies and their employees.

"There's no way we'd ask a householder to pay for something that inconvenienced them, disrupted their property and was of no benefit to them.

For further information visit the Derbyshire County Council website.

Please note that Action Fraud is not responsible for the content of external websites.

To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.

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