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Business Registration

The Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards Service has received several enquiries concerning companies that are approaching local businesses and requesting payment for registration under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Businesses are told that they have not notified the Data Protection Registrar or the Information Commissioner, and warned that failing to register is a criminal offence. The companies then ask them to send money, varying from £95 to £135, with a form to the registration companies.

They are given the impression that these companies are connected with the Information Commissioners Office – the body that enforces the Data Protection Act 1998. In fact there is no connection whatsoever. 

Any business which receives such a demand should contact the Office of the Information Commissioner and check whether they are required to register. The Trading Standards Service is also concerned that businesses may be asked to complete a registration form with potentially sensitive information which these registration companies will see. Any business which has received such a communication and thinks it is misleading should contact the Trading Standards Service immediately.

Don’t pay any money without checking with the Information Commissioner.  The Office of the Information Commissioner is at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire. SK9 5AF. There is a notification helpline telephone number 01625 545740. There is also information on http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/