Don’t get caught in licence fee scam

Bury Council is warning pub and shop owners of a new scam which is being targeted at those who pay an annual licence fee.

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

Hundreds of licences are issued by the council to the owners of licensed premises.

A council spokesman said: “Our licensing service 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 [email protected].”

Press release issued: 9 September 2024.