Fines Totalling £590,000 Issued by ICO For 1.9 Million Unwanted Marketing Calls Targeting Vulnerable Groups

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued fines totalling £590,000 to five companies for collectively making 1.9 million unwanted marketing calls targeting the elderly and people with vulnerabilities. This action is part of a wider crackdown to tackle companies using pressurised sales techniques to sell insurance for appliances like washing machines and TVs. The fines result from detailed investigations by the ICO, supported by intelligence from National Trading Standards. Jonathan Young’s parents were also impacted by illegal, unwanted marketing calls, resulting in payments totalling more than £2,000 to various companies. In response to this, two of those companies have been fined as part of the latest action. Anyone wanting to block unsolicited marketing calls is encouraged to sign up for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). If they or their loved ones receive such calls, they can contact the ICO for investigation.