SHOPKEEPERS and business people are being warned about bogus companies exploiting the Data Protection Act.

Police and Trading Standards officers have joined forces to advise businesses to check out information they receive about registration requirements and which threaten dire consequences if recipients do not comply.

One Herne Bay company has had a letter headed Urgent Notice asking for a £95 registration fee plus VAT.

The notice came from a company calling itself The Data Collection Enforcement Agency, from Southport, which has no connections with any government agency and is not empowered to make such demands.

The local businessman received a second intimidating demand to pay a registration fee to the Data Protection Agency at an address in Kirkby, Liverpool.

Police said businesses that need to register will already have been told - and need only pay £35 with no VAT.

Details of whether or not businesses are required to notify under the Data Protection Act 1998 can be obtained by ringing 01625 545740.