Update VatDetailsFromVatID.php

Author: tanthammar

src/Services/VatDetailsFromVatID.php

@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 namespace TantHammar\LaravelRules\Services;
 
+use TantHammar\LaravelRules\Enums\BusinessNameLookupError;
+use TantHammar\LaravelRules\Rules\VatNumberFormat;
+
 /**
  * eu format or uk format:<br>
  *
@@ -25,6 +28,11 @@ public static function lookup(string $vatID): object
             return $empty;
         }
 
+        //do simple validation before calling external api
+        if (! (new VatNumberFormat)->passes(null, $vatID)) {
+            return $empty;
+        }
+
         // Do not use Facade. Configure VatCalculator to throw an error when country != GB, else only bool false is returned
         $calculator = new \Mpociot\VatCalculator\VatCalculator(['forward_soap_faults' => true]);
         try {