DEAR EDITOR -- As the proprietor of a small business operating in Bromsgrove, I have received a communication from Data Protection Agency Services.

This tells me that I am not registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 and that I am therefore committing a criminal offence.

This letter is from their enforcement section and requires me to complete some forms and send them off with a fee of £95. No chance!

This is a scam which is well known to Trading Standards. The address they quote is in Sheffield. What their letter does not show is a telephone number!

I am advised that any communication which does not bear a telephone number (a landline NOT mobile) should be treated with great suspicion.

Any further information is available from Mr P Whitehouse, of Worcestershire Trading Standards office, on 01905 765399.

Ian Neale

Bromsgrove