Context
The Information Commissioners’ Office (ICO) has issued fines totalling £180,000 for two companies that made more than 480,000 unlawful marketing calls to businesses signed up with the UK’s “Do not call” register.
Key points to note
The ICO’s investigation found that Ice Telecommunications Ltd, Crewe and UK Direct Business Solutions Limited, Sunderland made repeated and persistent calls to businesses, with some calls described as rude and argumentative. The ICO received more than 120 complaints about the two companies, which had also continued to make calls despite repeated warnings from the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).
The ICO warns that it is against the law for organisations to make live marketing calls to anyone signed up with the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) or TPS – “Do not call” register – unless the individual has consented to receive the call.
Ice Telecommunications Ltd (Ice) based in Crewe, Cheshire made 72,682 unsolicited marketing calls to businesses registered with the CTPS or TPS between 13 September 2021 and 31 January 2022. The ICO received 30 complaints about Ice, and the TPS advised it had written to the company on 19 occasions outlining complaint details, without response. The ICO’s investigation found that Ice: was not able to provide copies of contracts with third party suppliers of marketing lists showing CTPS and TPS numbers suppressed; and continued to make illegal calls whilst under investigation. The ICO has fined Ice £80,000 and issued an enforcement notice ordering the company to stop making calls to CTPS and TPS registered numbers.
UK Direct Business Solutions Limited (UKDBS), based in Sunderland made 410,369 unsolicited marketing calls to businesses registered with the CTPS or TPS between 1 March 2020 and 31 October 2021. The ICO received 96 complaints, and the TPS advised it had written to the company on 17 occasions outlining complaint details. During the ICO’s investigation UKDBS was unable to evidence it screened details it sourced from the internet against the TPS register or any reference to electronic marketing laws or the TPS / CTPS register in its training materials. The ICO has fined UKDBS £100,000.
Next actions
None – for information and awareness.