Businesses in Cardiff are being warned to be on their guard following reports of bogus officials operating in the South Wales area.
Three men with suits and clip boards have been entering food premises claiming to be council officials and demanding payment from owners for expired hygiene certificates or face the threat of immediate closure.
The men are wearing red badge holders but do not give their names or show any identification.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Judith Woodman, said: “Businesses should always remain vigilant when people enter their premises claiming to be council officials.
If they are genuinely from Cardiff Council, they will be wearing official identification and will be more than happy to show their ID to prove who they are.”
Businesses can always contact the Council for confirmation of visits through Connect 2 Cardiff (C2C) on: 029 2087 2087.
If businesses don’t believe officials are genuine, or have any concerns about doorstep crime, they should contact Consumer Direct Wales on: 08454 04 05 06 (English) or 0845 04 05 05 (Welsh).
