At BII we hear from our members on a regular basis about attempted and, sadly, sometimes successful scams targeted at our trade.
What is it about the licensed trade that makes us a target for these confidence tricksters? Perhaps it is our welcoming nature or the fact that front line licensees are so busy running the business?
Training seems to be an area where scammers see the potential for a fast buck. I am sure we have all heard of licensees being approached to sign up for health and safety courses for around £30, paid upfront of course, at a local community centre only to arrive to find the venue locked up with no trainer in sight.
These small amounts of money can be written off and chalked up to experience but certainly soon mount up for the scammer.
Other scams to beware of are seminars where licensees are told that there is a whole range of qualifications that they must have or else they are breaking the law! Well, clearly, at the moment the only qualifications that fall into that category specific to licensing are the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders to obtain a personal licence and the National Certificate for Door Supervisors to obtain a Security Industry Authority badge.
The usual trick of scammers is to appeal to people's insecurities or lack of knowledge. The licensed trade has been subject to a huge legislative turmoil over the last five years and many licensees feel that they are struggling to keep up with the changes, leaving them open to being misled as they fear
losing their licence. Is it any wonder that a respectable-looking individual can pull the wool over their eyes?
BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, ensures that all its members have the information they need to run their businesses and hopefully the knowledge to scupper a would-be scammer.
If you are suspicious of any claim made to you about training and qualifications get in touch with us for the definitive answer, through the website www.bii.org or telephone 01276 684449.