A WARNING was this week issued to businesses in the West Devon area, who may be targeted by fraudsters operating a scam connected with data protection.
The scam operated in the area some time ago, but letters have recently been received by new businesses in the area.
Brian Watson of West Devon Business Information Point has already been contacted by three new businesses, who have each received forms in the post, purporting to be from a company called Data Collection Services (DCS).
The official looking form claims the addressees have not ?submitted Notification to the Information Commissioner, in accordance with the Data Protection Act? and warns failure to register is a criminal offence which could attract fines of up to £5,000.
Mr Watson said: ?They are obviously targeting West Devon again. This particular new business phoned us up and said, ?Should we pay this??.
?They used to try and charge £75 ? now it?s gone up to £95.?
The forms are accompanied by a printed envelope addressed to ?DCS (Enforcement Section) with an address in Merseyside.
Mr Watson warned businesses in the area not to be taken in by the form.
Sgt Dave Anning, of Okehampton Police, said: ?This is a con that has been going on for quite some time and rears its ugly head now and then.
?Unfortunately, people do get taken in by it , but anyone receiving a form from this company should not pay any attention to it and should throw it in the bin.?
Sgt Anning said West Devon police would alert police in Merseyside, who would check the address given on the envelope and take appropriate action if required.