Former The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger has revealed she paid money to a man claiming to be after a TV licence fee, despite already having one.
Her revelation came amid a renewed focus on TV licensing following the change in legislation to end the BBC iPlayer loophole.
The 29-year-old tweeted about the cold caller.
Man just knocked at my door for TV licence ? I paid there and then is this correct? But I do actually have one? Does this happen normally
— Lauren Goodger⥠(@LaurenGoodger) September 1, 2016
The official TV Licensing Twitter account responded to her post, asking for more details in order to investigate her claim.
@LaurenGoodger Hi Lauren, can you email us the details of this to [email protected] so we can look into it for you? Thanks.
— TV Licensing (@tvlicensing) September 1, 2016
Lauren’s former co-star on The Only Way Is Essex, Vas J Morgan, also responded.
@LaurenGoodger nooooooo lol that's not normal LG
— Vas J Morgan (@VasJMorgan) September 1, 2016
Her fans tweeted that she’d been had.
@LaurenGoodger ðð you've been mugged off girl
— Lee eaton (@Leeeaton88) September 1, 2016
@LaurenGoodger sounds like a con
— geraldine (@ger1977) September 1, 2016
Inquiry Officers visit households if there is no response given to inquiry letters from TV Licensing in order to check on the requirements of the property. However, there is no reason for visiting an address if the database records show it to be in possession of a licence.
As of September 1, those wishing to watch on-demand shows on BBC iPlayer – including catch-up – will need to have a valid TV licence. Prior to the new legislation, there was a loophole that meant those without a valid licence were able to watch programmes on catch-up on iPlayer.
The TV Licensing authority declined to comment on Lauren’s situation. A representative for Lauren has been contacted.
