Institute urges licensees to “check before you pay”

The Institute of Licensing is issuing a warning to licensees across the country to remain vigilant against fraudulent licensing officers attempting to scam businesses. Reports have emerged of individuals posing as licensing officials and demanding immediate payment for licensing fees, often through suspicious methods such as bank transfers or cash payments.

These scams target licensed premises, including those selling alcohol or offering late-night refreshments, and exploit the trust of business owners. In some cases, scammers have used mobile phone numbers to contact licensees, claiming that their fees are overdue and threatening consequences if payments are not made promptly.

The Institute of Licensing emphasizes that legitimate licensing officers will never request payments via bank transfer or cash. Payments should only be made through official, secure and verified channels, such as the official council websites and payment engines.

Licensees are urged to take the following precautions:

• Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a licensing officer by requesting official identification.

• Avoid making payments through unverified methods or to unfamiliar accounts.

• Contact your local council directly to confirm the legitimacy of any payment requests.