Data Protection Scam

Data Protection Scam

Rochdale Trading Standards are warning businesses to be on their guard against misleading letters that may be sent asking them to pay £135 fee with a so called data protection agency in a letter from “the enforcement manager”. The letters tell the company that they have to register because they keep personal data such as names and addresses or use CCTV. However, Rochdale Trading Standards says not all businesses have to register and if they do dealing with the bona fide government department costs only £35.

Trading Standards spokesman said that these companies are not actually breaking the law but there have been complaints about a number of companies in Rochdale. An unnamed Rochdale company is involved in sending out these misleading demands for money and is now being investigated by the Office of Fair Trading in view of taking action under regulations related to misleading advertising.

The Office of Fair Trading wants to hear from anyone who has had a demand for payment. Contact: Team CRE1D, Office of Fair Trading, Sleet Bank House, 4-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8JX, enclosing a copy of the demand and detailing why you think it is misleading.