Context
Search warrants have been executed across the UK as the ICO cracks down on suspected nuisance marketing linked to car finance mis-selling claims as part of the joint regulatory taskforce.
The searches have been carried out across Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea in a new action from joint regulatory taskforce with FCA, ASA and SRA, which follows 12 million complaints being made about car finance nuisance marketing.
Key points to note and next actions
More than 12 million complaints about nuisance marketing text messages have been submitted by the public since September 2025, with up to 100,000 received per day.
The warrants, carried out on Wednesday 29 July, targeted a mix of residential and business premises linked to five companies across Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea. The companies are subject to ongoing investigations and are believed to be responsible for sending a combined 170 million text messages to members of the public between September 2025 and May 2026.
Andy Curry, Head of Investigations at the ICO, said “People are fed up with being bombarded by unwanted calls, texts and emails about car finance claims, and we’re taking action. This week’s searches send a clear message to the claims management sector: comply with the law or expect to hear from us. We are working closely with our taskforce partners to make sure people are properly informed and protected and we will not hesitate to take further action where we find evidence of wrongdoing.”
The ICO is urging all companies operating in the claims management sector, including lead generators and law firms responsible for instigating direct marketing, to ensure they are complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
For guidance, refer to the ICO website. Guidance includes a Direct Marketing Advice Generator to help organisations understand their obligations.
The data protection regulator has the power to apply to court for a warrant to search premises as part of investigations under PECR, where evidence may be seized such as mobile phones, laptops or even sim farms.