CIPA Urges Caution on Online Payments Following Surge in Incorrect Service Transactions

CIPA Urges Caution on Online Payments Following Surge in Incorrect Service Transactions. The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) has issued a public notice urging users of the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) to carefully review their payment details before confirming transactions. The notice follows an increase in clients mistakenly making payments for incorrect services, particularly while attempting to submit annual returns.

According to CIPA, the OBRS clearly displays a payment summary before final confirmation, outlining both the amount due and the type of service being paid for. Despite this, the Authority has seen a growing number of cases where clients overlook this information and proceed to make unintended payments.

CIPA is advising all businesses, company secretaries, and individual users to take a moment to double-check the payment screen before finalising any transaction. In cases of uncertainty, users are encouraged to seek assistance from official support channels before proceeding with payment.

To prevent errors and ensure a smooth user experience, CIPA recommends the following steps:

• Carefully read the OBRS payment summary screen.
• Take a screenshot of the page if unsure.
• Email the screenshot to info@cipa.co.bw or reach out via WhatsApp at 73263804 for clarification.
• Consult a Company Secretary for guided assistance if needed.

CIPA’s reminder reflects its ongoing commitment to improving digital service delivery while encouraging responsible and informed use of online systems.