Alert over protection schemeBy Walthamstow GuardianSMALL businesses are being warned to be vigilant over a scheme involving data protection registration. Several companies are writing to firms all over the area offering to register them with the Information Commissioner at a cost of more than £100. It actually costs £35 to register directly with the commissioner. Many businesses have been taken in by the companies, handing over cash for fear of being prosecuted, which the companies warn would cost up to £5,000. Walthamstow businessman Jason Lennick was almost fooled into parting with £117. He received a letter from a company called Data Protection Agency Registration Services Ltd, who informed him he could be liable to heavy fines unless he paid. Mr Lennick, who is a partner in Metacosm Web Design in Hatherley Mews, said it was only his suspicious nature that alerted him. "The letter arrived a couple of weeks ago and looked very official, as if it was from a Government agency. Anybody who didn't spend time reading it would think it's from the Government and just send off a cheque. "I checked the Information Commissioner's website and have since found out my company does not actually even need to register. "Less savvy people may not realise this. These companies are just exploiting people's ignorance of data protection and are cashing in. "There will be a lot of sole traders out there who won't research this first," he said. Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard plans to raise the question with Government ministers and will ask for action to stop the firms from operating in such a way. He said: "I am concerned that these people are being persuaded that these companies have some official standing, and then paying much more than they need to for data protection registration." The Information Commissioner's website has a list of companies to avoid and advises people to contact Trading Standards if they receive such letters. For information on data protection registration visit www.dpr.gov.uk or ring their helpline on 01625 545740.s=10SMALL businesses are being warned to be vigilant over a scheme involving data protection registration.o Several companies are writing to firms all over the area offering to register them with the Information Commissioner at a cost of more than £100. It actually costs £35 to register directly with the commissioner. Many businesses have been taken in by the companies, handing over cash for fear of being prosecuted, which the companies warn would cost up to £5,000. Walthamstow businessman Jason Lennick was almost fooled into parting with £117. He received a letter from a company called Data Protection Agency Registration Services Ltd, who informed him he could be liable to heavy fines unless he paid. Mr Lennick, who is a partner in Metacosm Web Design in Hatherley Mews, said it was only his suspicious nature that alerted him to the scheme. "The letter arrived a couple of weeks ago and looked very official, as if it was from a Government agency. Anybody who didn't spend time reading it would think it's from the Government and just send off a cheque. "I checked the Information Commissioner's website and have since found out my company does not actually even need to register. "Less savvy people may not realise this. These companies are just exploiting people's ignorance of data protection and are cashing in. "There will be a lot of sole traders out there who won't research this first," he said. Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard plans to raise the question with Government ministers and will ask for action to stop the firms from operating in such a way. He said: "I am concerned that these people are being persuaded that these companies have some official standing, and then paying much more than they need to for data protection registration." The Information Commissioner's website has a list of companies to avoid and advises people to contact Trading Standards if they receive such letters. For information on data protection registration visit www.dpr.gov.uk or ring their helpline on 01625 545740. 15:32 Thursday 5th September 2002
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