The Information Commissioner warns small business not to be misled by bogus agencies who continue to send notices demanding money to register under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).
Evidence gathered by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) highlights that businesses are being specifically targeted by fake data protection agencies, posing as official government bodies. The letters, which typically request sums of £95 -£135 to register under the DPA, often use threatening language and are on official-looking headed notepaper.
The statutory fee for notification is just £35 a year and organisations that need to do so should go directly to ICO.
The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, said:
“The golden rule is that if you receive a letter out of the blue demanding more than £35 to register under the DPA this will be a scam. Our simple message is to throw the letter in the bin and not to pay the fee demanded. “
“Bogus agencies use threatening language to scare organisations into registering. Over the past two years these scams have cost British organisations many thousands of pounds. Though the number of organisations who are being caught out has gone down, it is a matter of concern that some are still being ripped-off. My office still receives over 2000 calls a month from anxious people.
“Although I do not have the powers to take action against these agencies myself, I continue to work with the relevant authorities to explore possible legal action. The OFT continues to take action under regulations outlawing misleading advertisements recently obtaining an injunction in the High Court against the Data Processing Corporation Limited.”
If anyone is in any doubt about a letter they have received they can:
· go to the notification section at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
· call the ICO notification line on 01625 545 740
Please note, if your organisation is required to notify you can do so directly through the ICO
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