Don’t get stung in licence fee scam

Pub and shop owners who pay an annual licensing fee are being warned of a new scam doing the rounds.

Crooks are contacting licence holders by telephone using a mobile number requesting the payment of the annual fee to a bank account.

Licensing officers at Bury Council say they have been contacted by several local businesses asking if the calls are genuine – which they are not.

A council spokesman said: “We will never contact you via a mobile number asking you to make payment to a bank account. You will always be asked for the invoice number from the documentation sent to you, and payment can be made through various methods as detailed on your invoice.

“If you are contacted by telephone regarding your annual fee, and if it is not due and you have not received an invoice to make payment, please contact us at licensing@bury.gov.uk.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 December 2024.