SMALL businesses across York and North Yorkshire were today urged to hang up on advertising cold callers who make false claims about links to charities and emergency services.

The call came from both North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council trading standards officers after complaints about businesses using misleading sales tactics.

The county council says unscrupulous telesales firms are telling business owners that they have already agreed to buy advertising space in a publication and make demands for payment - when no such agreements have taken place.

Graham Venn, head of trading standards at the county council, said: "Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to these types of unfair business practice.

"We advise all businesses to be wary. Don't be pressured or tricked into agreeing to advertising you don't want or into paying for something you haven't requested."

Liz Levett, trading standards manager for City of York Council, said: "My own advice to members of the public and businesses is never do business like that over the phone.

"Get them to send you the information so you can have all the terms and conditions in front of you when you make a decision."

Mrs Levett said numerous cold calling scams had targeted people in York, for example salespeople selling adverts in calendars, charts and directories.

Trading standards have told business owners:

Don't take unsolicited calls when you are busy and cannot give the salesman your full attention - if you want to talk, ask them to call back at a convenient time

Don't agree to something on the phone just to get rid of a persistent caller - legally binding agreements can be made over the phone

Be wary of unsolicited callers suggesting or implying that you are placing an order or entering an agreement when you do not wish to do so.

Be wary of follow-up calls - you may think they are just verifying details, but they may be trying to trick you into entering into an agreement

If you are not clear about any details, don't be rushed - ask questions and don't be pressurised into paying for services you have not agreed to.

The Office of Fair Trading can take action against anyone appearing to be concerned or likely to be concerned with the publication of a misleading advertisement.

Trading standards bosses said only a court can decide whether a contract exists and whether a business is liable to pay a debt.

They said if a claim is issued against a business, that business will have a fixed time period in which to respond by either disputing or admitting all or part of the claim.

A disputed debt can only be enforced by a court. Only a court can instruct bailiffs. Debt collectors are not bailiffs and cannot attempt to collect payment by taking direct action, such as seizing goods.

Updated: 11:44 Tuesday, May 24, 2005