Important scam warning for licensees

A rogue company has been targeting publicans in a shocking scam, conning them out of their hard earned cash.

The Publican has been inundated with calls from anxious publicans who have received threatening letters asking them to cough-up £95 or risk a £5,000 fine.

The company, calling itself Data Protection Agency Services, has sent thousands of letters out to pubs across the country claiming they need to pay for a place on the Data Protection Register.

But the company has nothing to do with the Information Commission Office (ICO), the official government body responsible for data protection.

Suspicious licensees raised the alarm when they noticed there was no phone number on the letter.

Anne Andrews, licensee of the Duke of Edinburgh in Woodside, near Windsor, received a letter on yesterday (April 22).

She said: "I've been in the trade nearly 30 years so I was suspicious when I saw this letter but my partner who hasn't been in the business very long was ready to pay the money.

"It looks very official and I'd hate anyone to fall for the scam."

David Leslie, who runs the Conquering Hero pub in Upper Norwood, South London, said: "It's very official looking, but we had it checked out by our solicitor who said it was definitely not legit."

Tanya Dunn, who has three pubs including the Bricklayers Arms in Old Marston, Oxford, said although the letter was very convincing she was alerted by the fact that it was a final notice and she didn't recall receiving a notice before.

"Some people who have received the letter may have been so busy in the pub that they just sent the money off," she said.

The ICO has set up a special website which includes a warning to businesses not to be misled by any company calling itself Data Protection Agency Services. The website, at www.dpr.gov.uk, lists a number of companies that have been brought to its attention, yet have no connection with the government.

The ICO said it has received hundreds of calls over the last few days from small businesses.

Information commissioner Richard Thomas said: "This issue is becoming a daily problem for businesses across the country and is something I take very seriously.

"Our simple message to businesses is to ignore these letters, and not to pay the fee demanded. Instead they should report the letters to their local trading standards office."

The Publican has repeatedly tried to locate the rogue companies listed on the site, however no telephone numbers are available.

A spokeswoman for trading standards said it would prosecute if a licensee complained that they had sent money and had not been placed on the register. Until then its hands were tied, she said.

Pubs are required to register with the ICO if they have CCTV but it only costs £35. For more information about registering call the ICO on 01625 545 740.

The Publican is continuing to log all complaints. If you have received one of these letters please call Jackie Annett on 020 8565 3054.

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