Anyone with a business please be aware of following. I received a letter along with various “official” looking forms this morning from company called Data Protection Agency Services Ltd entitled “Urgent Notice Under The Data Protection Act 1998”. Basically advising me (as a small business) to complete forms and send them cheque for £117.25 to cover my registration under the Act (and thus avoid committing a criminal offence with a max £5000 fine).
As it happens I had been registered with the Data Protection people (fee £35) and so I phoned them to ask if I needed to renew (as my business had changed). I told them I had received “their” letter. They asked if it was from Data Protection Agency Services Ltd and if it was to bin the letter and that they were consulting their lawyers about this group who have no connection with the real agency. So I am not saying that anything untoward is going on and it certainly isn’t for me to say that they are trying to mislead people - but be careful out there….. David

I find this amazingly funny - A company is abusing data to send out marketing junk, which is against the T&Cs of the DP Act 1998.

Marvellous.

Like the company who fax me asking if I want to stop unwanted faxes - especially as I am registered with the fax preference service!!! DL

See http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/dpars.htm

mb