GARAGES across North Yorkshire are being warned to be on their guard against a fax scam which could cost them up to £30 for making a phone call.

A fax, from Crest Corporation, Hertfordshire, invites businesses to join a UK vehicle repairer's network with an anticipated 30,000 calls per year nationally.

Callers, eager for the extra business, are invited to phone a number, whereupon an operator goes through a lengthy procedure taking business details.

What the caller does not realise is the call is costing them £1.50 per minute.

Trading standards officers have launched an investigation and would like to hear from any business which has called the fax number.

They should contact trading standards on (01609) 768606.

The county council's executive member for trading standards, Carl Les, said: "Quite honestly, with this type of scam it is difficult to advise businesses as there is no real way that they can know it is dishonest.

"The fax looks authentic and even includes logos from the Retail Motor Industry Federation and the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association. Checks have established that these claims are false.

"Interestingly, the address on the fax is not false, but in fact is the address of the Hertfordshire Inland Revenue offices."