TRADING standards officials are warning businesses to be alert to the dubious sales tactics of domain name registration companies.

Businesses in York are be-ing targeted by companies in the Internet domain name industry, which attempt to trick them into paying a fee of up to £200 to secure their name from "competitors".

City of York Council's trading standards manager, Elizabeth Levett, said: "Local businesses should be wary of unsolicited telephone calls stating that an attempt has been made to register their business name and offering first refusal on the name.

"Any attempts by the recipient of the call to find out the name of the company trying to register the name is refused on the grounds that the Data Protection Act forbids this. Potential purchasers are told time is of the essence and urged to make an immediate decision and payment.

"Therefore, it is impossible to find out whether or not someone is intending to register a domain name similar to, or the same as your own, and whether paying the sums asked for will actually secure the name."

The council is advising bus-inesses to beware of the high-pressure sales tactics and not to part with money. Businesses receiving such calls should contact trading standards on (01904) 551562.