28/4/2003

Pub landlords in South Wales are being warned they may be sent demands for money in a new registration 'scam'.

The latest 'dodgy demands' are already under investigation in Rhondda Cynon Taf . They come in official-looking letters with the alarming heading 'Final Notice'.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has issued a strong warning to the licensed trade and businesses to beware of these demands for payment.

Some letters that firms should be wary of come from a company calling itself 'Data Protection Agency Services'. These letters claim to be 'notification under the Data Protection Act (1998)'.

The Council's Public Health and Protection Division is concerned that business people might be led to believe that these official-looking letters came from the authorised Government agency which is the Information Commissioner's Office. They do not.

"We are warning businesses to be wary of these letters," said Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement, Councillor Adrian Hobson.

“The letters are bogus. They claim that a failure to comply with the Data Protection Act is a criminal offence, but there is no connection between 'Data Protection Agency Services' and the Office of the Information Commissioner, the agency that deals with Data Protection Act Registration.

"If anyone has any doubts about the letters they receive I would urge them to contact one of our Consumer Advice Centres at Pontypridd, Pentre or Aberdare.

"We want businesses to be on their guard and we are already getting in touch with over 400 local licensees across the Rhondda Cynon Taf area."

The advice from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Public Health and Protection Division is that anyone who receives such a letter should not fill it in.

Nor should they send off any money to the address given in Stoke-on-Trent. Instead they should contact the Council's Consumer Advice Offices.

The company 'Data Protection Agency Services' is not part of the Information Commissioner's Office. Nor are 'Data Collection Enforcement Agency', 'Data Protection Act Registration Service' or 'Data Protection Act Registration Agency'

The Data Protection Registration fee is not £95 - it is £35.

The latest letters under investigation carry the headings 'Notification under the Data Protection Act 1998' and 'Final Notice'.

The letters warn that failure to register is a criminal offence, which could result in a maximum fine of £5,000. Listed are a number of examples where traders will need to be registered under this Act.

Businesses are told in the letter that they have not registered and should 'commence registration immediately'. They are also urged to complete the form that is included and send off the 'correct fee' of £95 payable to ‘National Registration Fee’.

The Information Commissioner's Office (previously known as the Data Protection Commissioner) is the agency that administers registration under the Data Protection Act (1998).

The Information Commissioner has set up a telephone line to deal with complaints and enquiries about the bogus demands. It is 01625 545745.

Anyone who needs to be registered under the Data Protection Act (1998) should contact the Information Commissioner's Office at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Source:	Rhondda Cynon Taff Council
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