Data protection registration scams
Howard Lake | 23 April 2003 | News
The Researchers in Fundraising group have been alerted to bogus companies and individuals claiming to act on behalf of the Information Commissioner.
According to the group, they ask non-profits and businesses for up to £95 + VAT to “register for Data Protection.” The messages warn recipients of the danger of £5,000 fines for non-compliance.
The fee is, of course, £35. Such scams are known to the Information Commissioner: indeed, you can find a list some of the known perpetrators on the Commissioner’s Web site.
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The Information Commissioner advises: “Data controllers should ignore any approach made by the following businesses, who appear to be charging up to £95 + VAT for notification. Other than paying the annual statutory notification fee of £35, on which no VAT is payable, there is no charge made by this office to any data controller wishing to notify. There is no connection between these businesses and the Information Commissioner’s Office.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.