BUSINESSES in Worcester are being warned about misleading letters circulating in the city urging them to register under the Data Protection Act.

Trading Standards has been inundated with calls from people who have received a demand for £95 to do this.

The letters, from a firm called Data Protection Commissioner Services, also threaten businesses with a £5,000 fine if they fail to co-operate.

But what most companies do not realise is that registration costs just £35 and very few firms have to bother.

City businessman Rob Adcock runs Securit-Mark Ltd, in Foregate Street. The company supplies property marking equipment and personal alarms to police across the country, and Mr Adcock is one of those to have received a letter.

"I'm fortunate in that I know if I have to register and where to go, but a lot of businesses won't know where they stand," he said.

"A firm only has to register if it has a database of personal details which is accessible outside the company.

"With most places this isn't the case. However, the letter I had failed to point this out, which is wrong.

"I am sure there will be quite a few people who have already paid up unnecessarily."

Trading Standards says it is aware of these letters and of some from other companies making similar claims.

"The companies concerned send letters, or in a new twist 'collectors' to businesses demanding payment for Data Protection registration," said Philip Whitehouse, Trading Standards divisional manager for business advice.

"They have proof of ID and a receipt book and they do register businesses.

"However, they are charging for a service that is often not required and are asking £60 more than is necessary.

"Under no circumstances should these companies be paid."

The genuine office responsible for Data Protection registration does not visit people and only charges £35.