COUNTY Durham businesses are being warned not to fall foul of a new data protection rip-off.

Official-looking letters telling businesses they have to register under the Data Protection Act 1998 are being sent out with a demand for £95 - nearly three times the real registration fee.

Phillip Holman, Durham County Council's Head of Consumer Services, said many firms had received the demands.

"The letters look very official and the companies sending them out appear to be taking advantage of recent changes to the Data Protection Act. If a business needs to register, then the official fee is £35, not the £95 demanded in these letters.

"We are advising local businesses to be vigilant and, if they get unexpected invoices or demands, they should check them out thoroughly before making any payments,'' he said.

Advice on whether a company needs to register or not can be obtained by calling the Office of Information Commissioner Notification Helpline on (01625) 545740.

Council deputy leader Don Ross said: "If business people are at all unsure of their position, they should hold back on paying until they have checked the situation with Consumer Services on (0191) 383 3589.''