A number of retailers, particularly in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, have reported that they have been the victim of an attempted scam in relation to the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
The scammers have contacted several local authorities pretending to work for retailers and asking for business rates account details for specific properties occupied by the retailers, saying that, because they are working from home, they do not have access to them. Retailers have been made aware of this when the local authorities in turn suspected fraudulent activity and contacted them or their agents directly.
All businesses are advised to get in touch with local authorities directly or through their agents to confirm who the correct business rate contacts are for that organisation and to highlight this attempted scam. The Local Government Association have been informed.
For further information, or to report anything similar happening to your organisation, please contact the BRC's Property Policy Adviser, Dominic Curran.