Watch out! The data protection fraudsters are about

The UK government has launched a campaign to crack down on fraudsters after hundreds of victims were conned into paying unnecessary data protection charges.

The Information Commission (IC) campaign, do I need to notify?, tells businesses they only need to pay £35 to register as data handlers.

Some companies have been tricked into paying up to three times that amount by con men offering a 'go between' service.

Full- and half-page ads published in today's national newspapers, including the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and the Sun warn companies away from the tricksters.

Information commissioner Elizabeth France admitted she had received several complaints and is particularly concerned about the implication that these third party firms were officially endorsed.

"I am particularly concerned that there appears to be much confusion caused by the tone and content of the correspondence being distributed by these businesses, and that some data controllers may draw a connection with my office," she said.

silicon.com uncovered evidence on Manchester-based Gary McNeish last July, who sent emails to companies warning they face criminal conviction if they fail to register with the Information Commissioner's Office - then charging them £85 to comply.

Since then, trading standards officers have uncovered evidence of similar cases across the country.

The IC is unsure how tricksters have managed to obtain such detailed data, which often includes the renewal date of the victim's IC registration but a spokeswoman said it is believed to come from a number of sources including the IC's own website, market research companies and advertising lists.

The Commission said it is investigating the possibility of legal action against the fraudsters.