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12/06/2003
Trading Standards warn of bogus mailshots
The Trading Standards Service (TSS) has again warned local traders concerning companies which are continuing to post misleading mailshots.
The bogus mailshots look official in appearance and focus on data protection and warn of criminal offences if companies do not register with them (at a cost of £95). Some letters also mention penalties of up to £5,000.
A TSS Spokesperson warned: “The Information Commissioner has never issued this type of letter to businesses, so if companies receive such correspondence it’s not from the proper source.
“These letters look official and can seem quite threatening to businesses. What they want is to pressure businesses into paying their registration fee. No businesses can afford to lose money in this way so it is vital that companies check mail carefully and do not respond to letters without first checking thoroughly."
The spokesperson said the TSS were calling on businesses who have been targeted in this way to contact them as they are presently working with the Office of Fair Trading who are investigating the mailshots.
(MB)
The bogus mailshots look official in appearance and focus on data protection and warn of criminal offences if companies do not register with them (at a cost of £95). Some letters also mention penalties of up to £5,000.
A TSS Spokesperson warned: “The Information Commissioner has never issued this type of letter to businesses, so if companies receive such correspondence it’s not from the proper source.
“These letters look official and can seem quite threatening to businesses. What they want is to pressure businesses into paying their registration fee. No businesses can afford to lose money in this way so it is vital that companies check mail carefully and do not respond to letters without first checking thoroughly."
The spokesperson said the TSS were calling on businesses who have been targeted in this way to contact them as they are presently working with the Office of Fair Trading who are investigating the mailshots.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
