'Fake' data protection notices pulled by government

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has put a stop to one businessman's data protection antics, after he misled customers into signing up with him by pretending to be from a government body.

Peter Hardy sent out mailings from the 'Data Protection Registration Department' with a logo resembling that of the Information Commissioner's Office, which would make companies think the Department was an official government body.

The mailings claimed that recipients had to register with the Department and pay £49 for the privilege.

While some small companies that process data aren't required to register with the Information Commissioner's Office, most larger organisations are - but it should only cost £35 and they can register with the Commissioner direct.

The OFT ruled that Hardy's mailings were misleading and he has since agreed to stop the mailings.

IT firms are one of the favourite targets for data protection scammers. The Information Commissioner even took the unusual step earlier this year of warning tech companies to steer clear.