To me the thing that is exhibited here is not sCam, but sPam.

An email mailshot is not usually effective except in creating wrath.  This
is a thing we all know if we are engaged in direct marketing, and use with
caution to people who have given prior permission to receive emails.

The fact that the consultancy service may or may not be valid is probably
not relevant.  It is for all people in business (by which I include non
commercial organisations) to judge a vendor's validity.  Competency levels
are one issue here.  In addition does the consultant have professional
indemnity cover sufficient to meet any claim against his firm for a criminal
prosecution of his client by the commissioners?

To me this email is redolent of the great many companies who charge a fee to
do what you can do yourself.  The work involved in using the consultancy is
likely to be more than the work involved in filling out the forms at the
commissioner's website.  For this one pays an enhanced fee.  To me that is
the snag.  Mind you I applaud the spotting of a market niche.  I don't see
the value of reporting such an approach to an ISP, not to trading standards.
If the service is perceived to have value, I see no reason why the
consultancy may not gain clients in this manner.  However I do hope it
complies with all relevant legislation!
_____________________________________________________________
Tim Trent
Director of Database Marketing; Chief Privacy Officer EMEA
> Gartner
EMEA Marketing, Tamesis,  The Glanty,  Egham,  Surrey,  United Kingdom,
TW20 9AW
Switchboard +44 (0)1784 431 611, Direct Line +44 (0)1784 267 335, Mobile +44
(0)7710 126 618
Visit our home on the web:  http://www.gartner.com

Please note that my direct line has changed to +44 (0)1784 267 335.  Please
update your records to reflect this.

Any opinion expressed in this email is my own and not the opinion of
Gartner.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Wyatt [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 17 July 2001 22:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Fw: ?5000. FINE Data Protection Act 1998


Im confused. This did not appear to be a scam to me but somebody offering a
DPA registration advice service.
Letter appears to be simply quoting the Acts requirements and offering a
contact point from where consutancy assistance could be found.

Such assistance is invaluable to small data controllers given the OIC
notification support line is often engaged.
If data controllers are ignorant of the Act then they are committing
offences and should use consultants to assist training and education.

I didn't note it discussed any fees for services. The problem with DPA
consultancy services is who sets the minimum competency levels and how are
these measured by those who need to use. All such services should be
licenced with a body who can assess this possibly the OIC themselves if
standards are to be maintained and approved.

This service appears to be specialising in the notification aspects of DPA
only so appears viable but fees would obviously have to be dependent of type
of data controller service was offered to. Notification done properly is a
time consuming business.

Am I missing something here?

David Wyatt



> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Karen Blakeman
> Sent: 16 July 2001 07:49
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fw: ?5000. FINE Data Protection Act 1998
>
>
> An update on this scam:
>
> BT Internet (from where the emails originated) has been informed of
> their activities by several p****d off people, so no doubt the account
> will soon be terminated. Their fsmail.net email address has apparently
> already been zapped by Freeserve. But the damage has been done and I
> am sure enough people, ignorant of what the Data Protection Act means
> in practice to them, will be worried enough to send their GBP 85
> cheques to the spammers.
>
> Manchester Trading Standards Office has been informed (by several
> p****d off people).
>
> And, inevitably, the official Data Protection office has been
> informed.
>
>
> -------------------------
> Karen Blakeman, RBA Information Services
> 88 Star Road, Caversham, Berks RG4 5BE, UK
> Tel:+44 118 947 2256, Mobile: +44 7860 785716
> Fax:+44 870 056 8547
> Mailto:[log in to unmask]
> http://www.rba.co.uk/
>

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