OFT clamps down on bogus data protection
The OFT has taken action to stop a Gloucestershire-based businessman sending misleading data protection mailings to small businesses.
Steven Hester, from Cheltenham, was involved with two mailings, which used the names 'Data Protection Registration Agency' and 'DPR Services'. The OFT has received over 350 complaints about the mailings. Mr Hester has given written undertakings to the OFT that he will no longer issue misleading advertisements offering notification services under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Misleading
The OFT considered that the mailings were misleading as they gave the impression that they were sent by an official government body and that the businesses receiving them were under an obligation to register with the sender at a cost of between £55 and £70. The mailings also failed to explain properly which persons were exempt from notification.
While most businesses processing personal data are required by law to notify the Information Commissioner, many small businesses that process personal data for limited purposes are not required to notify. Businesses can notify the Information Commissioner directly for a fee of only £35.
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said: "Any business receiving a letter demanding more than £35 to notify under the Data Protection Act should ignore it. Anyone in doubt about their obligations to notify should contact the Information Commissioner."
Correspondence that is really from the Information Commissioner always bears his Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF address.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted on the Information Commissioner's Notification Helpline on 01625 545740.
Warnings
UKTECH has run a number of articles in the past warning about bogus data protection claims, including a list of companies under investigation by the OFT.
This included the two companies which the OFT has recently taken action against: 'Data Protection Registration Agency' and 'DPR Services' at 2 Wymans Court, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4TE.