Data Protection Act

[SHEELAGH]

I have received a letter telling me that I must register under the Data Protection Act. I am working as a self-employed bookkeeper doing work at home and on-site for clients. I admit I did not know I had to register, but I think this letter is a scam - it is asking for brief details - very different to the details requested on the government website, and asking for £95.<BR><BR>Does any one else have any experience of this, or can anyone give any advise which will help me decide what I should do.<BR>

[Scotty]

Hi Mary, you have every right to be sceptical.<BR><BR>I found this information on the web:<BR><BR>If you are a business or organisation who processes personal information on computer you may need to be on the register of data controllers maintained by the Information Commissioner. The annual notification fee is £35, on which no VAT is payable. However, a number of private companies have been approaching businesses demanding up to £95 plus VAT for notification under the Data Protection Act. You should not be misled by these businesses (who frequently style themselves as official-sounding &quot;agencies&quot;): they have no official standing or powers and there is no connection between them and the Information Commissioner's Office. Organisations who wish to complain about correspondence received from these businesses should contact their local Trading Standards Department.<BR><BR>Hope this helps, Scott.

[terryfenttiman]

Hi Mary,<BR><BR>If you go to the following link it will tell you if you need to register.<BR><BR>http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=2662<BR><BR>If you do need to register you can download the forms from the website, registration is £35.<BR><BR>Terry

[SHEELAGH]

Thank you both for your help. I will refer to the Information Commissioner and take it from there.<BR><BR>Mary

[Bowlingbazza]

This is a well known scam - yes you may have to register, but as someone else said the actual fee should be £35. Companies charging £95 should be reported to the Trading Standards....<BR><BR>Regards