Two Halton householders have received identical emails claiming that there's a problem with their direct debit payment for their TV licence which is about to expire.
The email urges the recipients to renew their licence online, warning that it could be cancelled and a debt collection agency instructed if they don't act straight away.
The same TV licence number has been given to both recipients, warns Halton Borough Council Trading Standards.
The scammer has included six links to their website within the email which makes it more likely that recipients will click on a link by accident.
Halton executive board member for trading standards Cllr Dave Cargill said: "Do not click on any links and never part with your banking or personal information unless you are sure of who you are dealing with."
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