Highland Businesses warned about 'Data Control' Scam

24th March 2015

The Highland Council's Trading Standards team are warning local businesses about a scam that is currently doing the rounds and is targeting small businesses within the Highland area.

A number of complaints have been received from local businesses receiving a letter headed "UK - DATA CONTROL - Missing information about your VAT Registration Number" with ‘Scotland Business' prominently stated at the top of the first page.

The letter states that the sender is looking to update VAT Registration Numbers. However what the scammers are actually trying to do is get the business to sign up to paying £790 per year for 3 years inclusion on the UK-Data Control portal. Inclusion on this portal is likely to derive absolutely no benefit to the local business.

The concern is that local businesses may consider the letter to be an official communication and will sign and return the form leading to demands for payment.

Trading Standards Team Leader David MacKenzie said: "Businesses should be aware that they are under no obligation to provide any information to the company and their entries do not have to appear on the company's website or portal."

For further information or advice, please contact Trading Standards on 01463 228700 or by email to trading.standards[AT]highland.gov.uk