WORCESTER companies are being warned to be on their guard against bogus officials claiming to work for the Data Protection Registry.

The "officials" call on companies and demand £95 for Data Protection Registration under the Data Protection Act.

Normally, this would cost firms £35 to do themselves on-line - and many do not even need Data Protection Registration.

Previously, the scammers had simply sent letters to firms and Worcestershire Trading Standards is worried about the new development that sees "collectors" going to work premises armed with identification and even receipt books.

Philip Whitehouse, divisional manager for Worcestershire Trading Standards Business Advice, said officers had been aware of this kind of scam for some time.

"This new approach means the potential for more businesses to be caught out is even greater," he said.

"Under no circumstances should these firms be paid the money they ask for."

He said the "genuine" office responsible for Data Protection Registration - the Information Commissioner - did not visit companies' premises.

"Therefore, you can be assured that if someone appears, they are not genuine," he said.

Data Protection Registration is an attempt by the Government to ensure the personal details of millions of ordinary people are not misused.

Once registered with the Data Protection Registry, firms have to follow certain procedures aimed at making the data more secure.

Any firm using customer databases containing personal details that can identify a person as an individual, such as name and address, is eligible to register by law.

However, there are exemptions, including databases holding the personal details of a company's own staff, as well as those kept by firms for their own marketing purposes, such as targeted mailshots.

Accounting records, containing details of debtors and creditors, are also exempt.

The Office of Fair Trading is investigating the scam under The Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations and, in cases where proof has been collected, action has been taken.

Anyone wishing to contact the Office of Fair Trading can do so in writing, stating why they felt misled, the date they received the letter, or the visit, and permission to use the complaint in legal proceedings.

For advice, call Trading Standards Business Advice on 01905 765399 or click on: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/worcestershire

For more information on Data Protection Registration go to: www.dpr.gov.uk