'Ignore costly data letters'.

BUSINESSES have been told to ignore official- looking letters telling them to register with the government's information commissioner - or face fines.

More than 100 traders and schools have received the letters asking them to pay up to pounds 95, plus VAT, to register.

But Warwickshire's trading standards officers said the letters are not sent by the commissioner and, in any case, many of the schools and businesses are exempt from charges.

Officers say all businesses should ignore letters from companies usually using the words data protection, date collection or data registrations, in their title.

Trading standards director Noel Hunter said some people were using the requirement for some businesses to register as a way of making money.

The true cost of registering is pounds 35.

He said: "All these people will do is register on behalf of any business who pays them, making themselves a tidy profit.

"These firms have no powers to demand a business registers through them, nor can they issue fines or take criminal action."

Businesses which must register include those which process personal data.

Those unsure whether to register should phone [phone] or log on to www.dpr.gov.uk

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WARNING: Noel Hunter