Security News > 2022 > March > Brit data regulator fines five cold-calling fiends £405k

Five British companies are collectively nursing a £405,000 fine from the UK's data watchdog for making a combined total of 750,000 unsolicited marketing calls targeting vulnerable elderly people.

The Information Commissioner's Office was alerted to the quintet's dodgy dealings after receiving complaints from the public and information from Action Fraud, Trading Standards, consumer rights group Which?, and call block provider trueCall.

All of the calls were made to people registered with the Telephone Preference Service, meaning it is illegal for marketeers to ring those numbers unless specific consent is provided.

The list of shame includes West Sussex-based Domestic Support Ltd, fined £80,000 for 69,133 unwanted marketing calls between January and July 2020.

The ICO said complaints received indicated it was "Targeting vulnerable people for financial gain," the callers were "Aggressive and threatening," and there was no evidence that the services being offered were even being provided.

"A triumphant John Edwards, Information Commissioner, said in a canned statement:"These are unlawful predatory marketing calls that were targeted at some of the most vulnerable members of our society and driven purely by financial gain.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/03/17/ico_cold_calling_fines/