Potential VAT scam

[LawJaw 50]

We have had a busy couple of weeks with contact from a number of clients seeking advice on a potential scam letter they have received regarding VAT registration numbers.

We have been asked to advise on a letter from “UK- DATA CONTROL” The letter says that there is missing information about your VAT registration number and asks for businesses to update the VAT registration number on their database.

The letter states that this is free, however, we have been advised that businesses have actually been charged £790.00 for 3 years membership. Membership means that your VAT registration number is published on their database for 3 years. We understand there is no particular benefit or need to have this information on their website and we would advise that the information is not given to the company.

UK Data Control appear to be a business based in Hamburg and are not linked to HMRC or any other public authority or official entity and therefore this is not a request or demand for this information that you are obliged to give, despite the ‘deadline for submission’ date that is on most of these letters.

If you receive a letter like the one stated above and are a member then please do contact us for advice.

[jimreidvehicle 255]

that one has been doing the rounds for at least 7 or 8 years

[Fixedgear 4]

We had one arrive here. It had a Spanish address on the bottom so I threw it in the bin!

[Hannafop 0]

This has indeed been going around for many years and not just the motor trade industry.  The scan is that you provide data and then they charge you for maintaining the information on their database with heavy legal threats if not paid.  They point to small print that allows them to make this charge. Like others I have ignored but it's easy to get drawn in - so beware.

[christinasmith 0]

And why have you done this?

Edited October 26, 2017 by christinasmith