Croydon Council is warning businesses to be vigilant following reports of bogus licensing officers claiming to be from the council demanding fees.

The fake officers have contacted premises that sell alcohol or offer late night refreshments telling them they need to pay licensing fees and gave payment instructions via a bank transfer.

Fortunately, one of the businesses was prevented by their bank from completing the transfer on the basis that it was clearly fraudulent.

Businesses are reminded they can pay their licensing fees safely online via the council’s secure payment portal on the Croydon Council website after they have set up an account. Payment can also be made by calling the council or by cheque or postal order via the post.

The council would like to stress that no council officer will contact businesses to ask for payment by bank transfer or cash. Licensing officers will also identify themselves when approaching business premises by displaying their council identification badge. Officers will give clear instructions about where to pay fees via a Croydon.gov.uk address.

This attempted scam has been reported in other local authorities and comes off the back of other reported scams in the borough, such as people posing as council workers offering to drop kerbs and fake parking tickets being handed out.

The advice from the council is that businesses and residents must be wary of people approaching them asking for money claiming to be from the council.

Residents can contact the council via the call centre if they have any concerns that a request for payment is legitimate.

“It really upsets me when I hear that people are targeting Croydon businesses or residents with scams.

“We work closely with the police and other partners and keep businesses and residents updated if we hear of any scams.

“If you have any doubt about a contact you receive, please do not give out any of your details and do not pay. If you are unsure whether a request for payment is legitimate, please contact us.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Businesses can check the validity of a Licensing Compliance Officer, or how to pay, via licensing@croydon.gov.uk

More information on alcohol or food licences.

Businesses and residents can contact the contact centre on 020 8726 6000 Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm.