TRADING standards officers are warning Oxfordshire business people to be on their guard against a renewed spate of invitations to place ads in an international fax directory.

The latest letters have been arriving at Oxfordshire addresses from a company called IT&T AG, based in Zug, Switzerland.

They look like invoices, demanding hundreds of pounds, but careful inspection reveals that the word "invoice" does not appear.

Trading standards officer Debbie Dent said: "Usually these things come at Christmas and in summer when temps are on duty and invoices are more easily passed.

"All we can say is beware."

John Chipperfield, of Kidlington, who received an offer to place his fax number in the directory for £407.40, said: "I receive only two or three faxes a week - all from people I know - so it would be pointless to advertise." He added: "I am thinking of sending them a reply with no postage stamp and enclosing a bill for wasting my time."

The small print on the paperwork says: "The advertisement information will be entered in the 'Telex Directory International' upon signature of this offer or payment of the registration fee indicated above."

The form incorporates a tear-off slip, similar to that found on electricity bills, for sending back to Switzerland with payment.

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