BRADFORD Council is warning people to be aware of a scam email claiming the "bedroom tax" has been abolished.

The social sector size criteria, known as the "bedroom tax", was introduced by the government in April 2013 to allow people to only claim Housing Benefit for the number of bedrooms their household needs.

The email says that if people have been affected by this and want to claim any money back, they need to fill in an attached form which asks for personal and financial details.

The chairman of West Yorkshire Trading Standard Service Councillor Val Slater said: "The Council has already received enquiries from people who have received emails and seen things posted on Facebook about the scam. We urge anyone not to respond to these emails or fill in the forms or provide any details. These emails may also contain viruses, so people should delete them immediately."

Anjie Cawthra, Debt Advice Worker on the West Yorkshire Trading Standards SAFER Project, said: "The social sector size criteria (tedroom tax) has not been abolished and tenants should continue to pay any rent not covered by their Housing Benefit.

"Like all scams, in order for this to work, personal details are needed, especially your bank account information so be careful who you give this information to."