It is illegal to be paid cash for your scrap metal, including from your home address. You need to provide identification and the dealer requires a Scrap Metal Dealers Licence. 

You can present either:

• a photocard driving licence (which shows your address) or;

• a current passport and supporting document, consisting of one of the following; 

  • a utility bill (not a mobile phone bill) 
  • bank or building society statement
  • debit or credit card statement 
  • a council tax letter.  

While you should not be paid cash, you can be paid by several instant methods including bank transfer, cheque, pre-paid card, or electronic funds transfer.

If you are offered cash you can report it anonymously.