TRADING standards officers at City of York Council are warning firms to be on the lookout for invoices demanding payment for entries in international fax directories.
The invoice, marked IT&T, with a Swiss address, is professionally produced and asks for £417.10. It even offers a discount for prompt payment.
Trading standards manager Elizabeth Levett said: "Unfortunately, UK law does not apply to demands for payment which originate overseas.
"We would urge local businesses to be on their guard. We are particularly concerned that businesses might think that the bill from IT&T might have originated from the multinational company AT&T, and mistakenly believe the similar name lends it authenticity.
"In addition, the offer of a discount for prompt payment may tempt the unwary to pay the bill without delay without looking too closely at the invoice."
Coun Derek Smallwood, the council's environment chief, said: "We are very concerned that local businesses are inadvertently authorising payment for large sums of money which would be difficult, if not impossible, to recover."
Updated: 10:28 Tuesday, November 13, 2001
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