BUSINESSES in the Atherton and Leigh area are being warned not to fall for fraudsters claiming to offer data protection services.

So many complaints about the con, which demands a fee for do-it-yourself services, have been made that the town's Trading Standards section has sent out a new warning to all businesses.

Trading Standards at Wigan Council first sent out warnings in October when the con first came to light.

Businesses receive unsolicited mail from agencies who have tagged the words "data protection" into their titles, offering to arrange notification under the Data Protection Act.

The agencies send official forms and request that they be filled in and returned with a fee of anything up to £100.

However, the notification can be carried out simply and cheaply by any business itself.

Wigan's chief Trading Standards officer, Alan Blundell said: "They sound official and include the words 'data protection' in their titles to give an air of authority. They also include warnings about hefty fines, but don't let this fool you."

Details of whether or not businesses are required to notify under the Data Protection Act 1988 -- and instructions on how to do so -- are available on the Government's data protection website or by calling 01625 545749.

Other than an annual statutory notification fee of £35 there is no charge to any company wishing to notify.