BUSINESSES are being warned about the latest bogus invoice scam circulating in East Lancashire.

Letters have been received by businesses containing an unsolicited invoice for £376.20 from a telecommunications directory company called United Media s.r.o.

Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service are already receiving complaints about the Czech Republic based company, who have a history of sending out letters and forms to businesses in the UK.

The form has the appearance of an invoice for a service offering entry into a telecommunication directory. It is headed World Telecommunication Directory' and has trader details of United Media s.r.o, Albrechticka, Most, Czech Republic.

County Councillor Jean Battle, cabinet member for community planning and partnerships, said: "I would advise businesses to be vigilant and to tell their staff about this scam.

"Cons like this rely on businesses inadvertently paying money when they receive the form, falsely believing that it is an invoice for a service that they have ordered."

Anyone who thinks they may have become a victim of the con should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.