More bogus letters demand money from pubs

Pressure is building for the government to protect licensees from bogus companies sending letters asking for money to meet new legislation.

Following last year's data protection scams, licensees have been targeted with a new wave of letters - one calling for a fee of between £125 to £249 to comply with new health and safety laws, another asking for £75 for a compliance pack to meet new money laundering regulations.

In the latest clampdown, police and Cheshire County Council trading standards raided an office in Crewe earlier this month. The company had sent out letters asking for £75 from businesses for a compliance pack to meet new money laundering regulations. Two men have been arrested and one released on bail.

Last year thousands of licensees and other businesses received threatening letters from rogue data protection agencies. The letters appeared to be official, and demanded a payment of up to £95 to sign up to the data protection register or face a fine of £5,000.

There is still concern that the government should be taking a more targeted approach to these rogue companies.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said: "I think that it is time the government acted as there are so many cons. The government should be looking into this and bringing in stringent measures. The home secretary David Blunkett should take action."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Trade and Industry confirmed that any company operating these scams could face police action.

Andrew Rees, manager of the trading standards investigation team at Cheshire Council, says licensees receiving invoices related to any new legislation should check the details with their local trading standards office.

• Do you think that you have been the victim of a con or feel you have been treated unfairly by a company offering services? Contact Michelle Perrett at zvpuryyrc@gurchoyvpna.pbz​ or call 020 8565 3053.