TRADING standards officers are warning people to be on their guard against a bogus fax scam operating in the town.

The faxes, sent to businesses and individuals, innocently request information about their services and call on the trader to fax back details to the originator of the request.

But the cost of sending the information can cost as much as £5 per time.

Trading standards manager, Peter Astley, said: "This is costing people a lot of money and businesses especially should take heed of this warning. We would urge businesses to register with the Facsimile Preference Service."

Under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations Act, introduced in 1999, to fax an 'individual', tele marketers must first have prior consent. The regulations define 'individuals' as consumers, sole traders and partnerships, but not companies, which seem to be excluded from the scope of the regulations. The advice is for companies to register with the Facsimile Preference Service (FPS), which allows businesses to register their objection to receiving direct marketing faxes with a central service. The FPS can be contacted on 020 7766 4422.

Further information on the bogus fax scam can be obtained from Warrington Borough Council Trading Standards on 442678.