Fake council garden waste collection leaflet with QR code
Impersonating: Local Council
What is this scam?
Fraudulent leaflets posing as official local council communications are being posted through letterboxes, prompting residents to renew their garden waste collection subscription. The leaflets carry QR codes that link to convincing fake council payment portals designed to harvest card and personal details. Neighbourhood Alert and Trading Standards have flagged a surge in reports across multiple council areas in April 2026.
Example scam message
YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL — Garden Waste Collection 2026. Your annual garden waste subscription is due for renewal. Scan the QR code below or visit our online portal to pay the £75 renewal fee and keep your fortnightly collection active. Failure to renew by 30 April may result in your bin being removed. [QR code links to council-garden-renewal.xyz/pay]
Red flags to look out for
- The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
- Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
- You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
- It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
- The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.
What to do if you receive this
- Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.
- Contact the organisation directly using details from their official GOV.UK page.
- Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
- Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
Received this message?
Forward it to 7726 (free on all UK networks) to report it to your mobile provider.
You can also report it to Action Fraud
or email the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk.
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Check a message nowSource: Action Fraud