Blue Badge holders have been warned of scam websites claiming to offer help with forms ? and charging excessive fees to do so.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards team has issued the warning after one resident was charged £49 by a website in exchange for help filling out their entitlement forms.

Blue Badge applications and renewals can be made online through Blue Badge Scotland for a charge of only £2.92. A link to the site is available through the council website.

It is not necessary to use other sites for help completing or processing Blue Badge forms, and anyone who has lost money by doing so is encouraged to report it to Citizens Advice Scotland on 0345 404 0506.

Councillor Kath Ryall, convener of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, said: “Sadly it is all too easy to be taken in by these websites, and this particular issue is one that has affected several other UK local authorities. As a Council we are committed to protecting the welfare of vulnerable people and are keen to make sure our residents don’t fall prey to schemes such as this.”

Councillor Tommy Rainey, vice-convener of the committee, added: “Similar online schemes have existed for some time in relation to passport, driving licence and loan applications and the expensive fees are entirely avoidable if applicants are equipped with the right information.

"I would encourage anyone wishing to apply for or renew a Blue Badge to make sure they visit the council website for information in the first instance.”

Anyone wishing to apply or renew a Blue Badge should visit www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/health-social-care/apply-blue-badge. Alternatively residents can phone the Council on 01389 737020.