Police Investigate Fake Council Tax Fraud

Uploaded on 2025-05-15 in GOVERNMENT-Local, GOVERNMENT-Law Enforcement, FREE TO VIEW

Cyber security authorities have been prompted by Stormont, the Northern  Irish parliament in Belfast, to investigate a fake website address mistakenly printed on council tax bills. Nearly 300,000 ratepayers received letters containing an incorrect web link for making payments.

Concerns have been raised that this web address may have hosted malicious software designed to harm computer systems or devices used by online scammers. 

The Department of Finance stated that the website domain was not government-owned, and officials have reported the site to Action Fraud for further investigation. Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, operated by the City of London Police.

Rates are a property tax used to fund public services in Northern Ireland and are collected by the Department of Finance's agency, [Land and Property Services (LPS)].

Bills for the new financial year were issued to households and businesses from early April. It is understood that the malicious weblink closely resembled the official address for the NI Direct website. 

BBC  |  Irish News   |   Action Fraud  |    City of London Police  

Image: Nataliya Vaitkevitch

You Might Also Read:

Cyber Criminals Can Clone Branded Websites:

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 8,000-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible

 

« Security Performance Metrics Fall Short
The Impact Of The Internet On Modern Society »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

RedTeam Security

RedTeam Security

RedTeam Security is a provider of Penetration Testing, Social Engineering, Red Teaming and Red Team Training services.

Beachhead Solutions

Beachhead Solutions

Beachhead's SimplySecure is a configurable, web-based management tool allowing you to remotely secure vulnerable mobile devices in your organization.

Bericon Forensics

Bericon Forensics

Bericon is one of the longest established forensic science consultancies in the UK. Activities include computer and mobile phone forensics.

Maticmind

Maticmind

Maticmind is an ICT System Integrator providing solutions and specialized skills in Networking, Security, Unified Communications & Collaboration, Datacenter & Cloud and Application.

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - New Zealand

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - New Zealand

The role of the NCSC is to help New Zealand’s most significant public and private sector organisations to protect their information systems from advanced cyber-borne threats.

Computer Forensics Consult (CFC)

Computer Forensics Consult (CFC)

Computer Forensics Consult provides disaster recovery, computer forensics, electronic discovery and litigation support services in the growing area of Cyber Security.

Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ)

Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ)

JASANZ is the joint national accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

Thridwayv

Thridwayv

Thirdwayv helps your enterprise realize the full potential of loT connectivity. All while neutralizing security threats that can run ruin the customer experience - and your reputation.

PreEmptive Solutions

PreEmptive Solutions

PreEmptive Protection hit the sweet spot between cost, convenience and functionality by helping you protect and secure your apps in a smarter way.

Ascent Solutions

Ascent Solutions

Ascent is built to help firms evolve their cybersecurity posture, modernize their Microsoft solutions, and accelerate their journey to the cloud.

Polestar Industrial IT

Polestar Industrial IT

Polestar work on both sides of the IT & OT divide. Network, Data & Asset Security is our priority. Polestar installations are robust and resilient and comply with the appropriate security.

KnoTra Global

KnoTra Global

KnoTra Global is a next-generation Managed Service provider with a portfolio of services including Cybersecurity Solutions, Network Management, IT Leadership, and Day-to-Day Helpdesk and IT services.

Tryaq

Tryaq

Tryaq are a group of cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts who share the mission to make the world feel safer online.

Softanics

Softanics

Softanics’ ArmDot protects .NET apps with advanced obfuscation, control flow protection, and virtualization, securing code against reverse engineering without requiring agents or environment changes.

GetReal Security

GetReal Security

GetReal Security is the world’s leading authority on malicious digital content and deepfake protection.

The Missing Link

The Missing Link

Whether your requirements are large or small, The Missing Link have you covered with our core offerings including IT & Cloud, Cyber Security and Automation.