TRADING standards bosses in Hartlepool are warning businesses to be on their guard against cold callers after a businessman was duped.

A local businessman received an unsolicited telephone call from a company which claimed the machine his firm was using to "swipe" and register customers' contact details was suffering from static, and the information being recorded by the machine was being corrupted.

The businessman, who believed the caller to be from his bank, was persuaded to buy swipe cards with "anti-static" properties and five rolls of paper.

He later received an invoice for £200 for the goods.

He contacted the bank, who told him there was nothing wrong with the machine, and not to pay the bill.

Malcolm Graham, Hartlepool Borough Council's Senior Trading Standards officer, said: "Businesses should be wary of people who contact them and do not properly identify themselves.

"If any firm takes any cold calls from sales people, the call should be referred to the person who normally buys equipment for the firm.

"Junior staff should be warned not to automatically confirm orders with cold callers.

"The calls should be referred to the firm's buyer.

"It's always advisable to ask the caller to put the offer in writing, detailing all the items being ordered, and the costs," said Mr Graham.

Hartlepool's trading standards team can be contacted on (01429) 523351.