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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

help call from council

33 replies

shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 21:46

Hi I've just checked my phone and have had a call and text message from the council saying I need to contact them what could this be about? I don't owe any council tax or anything -but suffer with anxiety and I'm panicking TIA

OP posts:
ssd · 15/09/2017 21:48

tbh i think it'll be something simple Thanks

anxiety is hottible, I have it too

NeonFlower · 15/09/2017 21:49

Check the number in case of scammers, but it will be something simple I expect.

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 21:51

Why would they text me unless it was urgent ? Anyone else had this .Yes it's awful my heart rate has gone right up and I feel sick :(

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 15/09/2017 21:52

Are you in a Council House? It could be a routine Survey or Check.

I've been phoned to ask if I wanted to take part in a focus group. I haven't given them my Email.

stella23 · 15/09/2017 21:53

Did you return your 'who lives In the house' letter?

WonderWhippet · 15/09/2017 21:53

Surely they must have said which department they were calling from?

ChippyMinton · 15/09/2017 21:54

Is there a reason why the council would have your mobile number? What time did they call/text?

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 21:55

I haven't returned that letter yet- but I checked the number and it doesn't match the number on that letter and I live in a housing association flat

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 15/09/2017 21:55

Do you get housing benefit? If so there's a good chance it's about that?

Are you in the housing register?

Could be they're checking people's addresses for electoral role? I know my council send out a letter asking your to confirm all details are still correct.

Maybe a satisfaction survey?

Perhaps there's a dispute with some of your neighbours and they want to get your view.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.

Papafran · 15/09/2017 21:56

Could it be about parking? Permit or ticket.

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 21:56

Ps they left a voicemail but didn't say what department they called at 4.42 but my phone was off as dd in Soft play .

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 15/09/2017 21:56

Sorry, meant to add, call them on Monday, but on the number on their website. They'll be able to tell you if it's a scam.

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 21:59

Yes the housing benifet part is what is worrying me I'm a lone parent and if a mistake happended or it was stopped I dont have any way of paying my rent and we would be kicked out of our flat in really worried :(

OP posts:
Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 22:00

Benefit * i meant sorry can't even spell :(

OP posts:
Tiddler7 · 15/09/2017 22:05

In my experience if it is about the benefit, you would get a letter, not a phone call. Does the phone number look at all similar to your council's number? My one is either wittheld or checkable. If you type it in google, what does it show?

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 22:09

Tiddler yes it is very similar just a different extension if that makes sense & there are hundreds of different numbers for loads of different departments .nothing comes up specifically on Google but don't know if it would be im there if it was an officer

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 15/09/2017 22:11

If it is HB then it can be sorted, but don't just bury your head in the sand. If you're in a housing association property, they'll be really used to dealing with HB issues, they happen all the time (I work for a HA). Evicting people is the absolute last resort. But you do need to talk to them and listen to the advice they give you.

But try your best not to worry over the weekend, nothing's going to happen and it won't change anything.

dramallamakarma · 15/09/2017 22:13

Ring their switchboard, most councils it's manned at the weekend. They will be able to tell you which department it was but probably not why they called... at least you'd know a little more.

Tiredtomybones · 15/09/2017 22:14

Did the person who called you leave their name? Maybe try googling them or googling name + council name and see if anything comes up.

hmmwhatatodo · 15/09/2017 22:16

I'm sure they would write rather than call if it were money related. Isn't the date to have sent back your electoral roll information over now? It's probably them calling about that so they don't have to send someone round about it.

IWantABlueBanana · 15/09/2017 22:17

Gas safety check?

ginswinger · 15/09/2017 22:18

I got a call from the council once. I called them back and it just to check who was living in my house-whether it was still a house of multiple occupation (it's not). Nothing to fret about.

applesareredandgreen · 15/09/2017 22:18

I don't understand this. What did the voicemail say? How do you know it was 'the council'? IME due to the way council switchboards work this will show up as a number unknown or number withheld and any individual leaving a message would normally state who they were and why they were calling.

Original poster
shopbopdrop · 15/09/2017 22:23

Apples They sent me a text stating there name and a number to.contact them on and put they were from my local council in the text message they also left the same voicemail message

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 15/09/2017 22:27

I hate these sort of messages. Call back and you can't and then worry all weekend. Make sure it's not any kind of scam when you do call. bit strange calling you on a mobile without giving their department. Maybe it's about repairs to the building or something like that.