BUSINESSES in Rossendale could be conned out of money by "health and safety" firms, trading standards have warned.
The Health and Safety Executive has received hundreds of complaints from companies in Rossendale and across the country who have receved requests for payment in return for compliance with health and safety law.
Three firms have written to companies all over the UK asking for between £125 and £249 to ensure they comply with health and safety law.
A Liverpool firm calling itself the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency (HSEA) demands £125 for a health and safety compliance pack.
The Manchester-based Health and Safety Compliance Agency (HSCA) says all businesses should apply for registration, for a fee of £129.25.
A third company, the Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division (HSRED), which gives a Rochdale address, tells recipients to pay up to £249 for health and safety registration.
But a trading standards spokesman said there is no legal need to buy literature or services from these companies.
Any bogus letters should either be ignored or passed, for information, to Trading Standards, 58-60 Guildhall Street, Preston, PR1 3NU.
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