A trader is warning businesses to look out for a rogue company that is sending out false invoices.

Mike Dalley, 69, owner of Cardome and Tube Station Tanning in St James's Street, Brighton, was horrified when Paper Roll Logistics sent him a £200 bill for thermal printer head cleaner swipe cards.

The invoice included a 12 digit telephone number that does not work and a threat that unpaid bills would incur interest at an annual rate of 24 per cent.

He said: "I don't even know what a thermal printer head cleaner swipe card is but I know I didn't order any and I know I haven't got any.

"The wording of the letter is quite threatening and I'd imagine there will be people who would be taken in by it."

A spokeswoman from Trading Standards at Brighton and Hove City Council said: "This is clearly a scam.

"Trading Standards' advice to anyone receiving an invoice like this is to check carefully whether the products have been ordered and supplied.

"The people behind these letters hope they will go to a large company where someone will assume the goods have been ordered and pay up without thoroughly checking. If you are being billed for something you haven't had don't pay, and refer the matter to Trading Standards."

Tuesday, February 7, 2006