- “[They] kept saying they can help with my debt. I advised them I keep receiving calls and it’s making me feel suicidal […] I receive these calls from the same company every single day, sometimes three or four times a day.”
- “I’ve asked the company every day for three weeks to remove my number […] and they still call every day! I am disabled and suffer with extreme anxiety and they will not leave me alone after weeks of begging!”
- “As I am a university student this impacts my education and most recently, they phoned me over five times during an exam leading to my paper being voided and more pressure and stress.”
During the ICO investigation, BSL was found to have deliberately concealed its actions and ceased to co-operate with the ICO.
During the same wider investigation into unsolicited marketing calls, a second company was identified: Money Bubble Ltd (MBL), a financial advice company.
It was found that between October – November 2022, the company made 168,852 spam calls resulting in several further complaints being made to the ICO and TPS. MBL did not provide evidence that anyone whose number had been called had consented to receiving calls from the company. The ICO issued a £120,000 fine.
Both companies have also been issued with an Enforcement Notice.
Andy Curry, interim director of investigations at the ICO, said: “This is appalling behaviour by both companies, causing people distress, upset and anxiety. People registering with the Telephone Preference Service do so specifically to avoid these types of calls. I hope the fines that have been issued demonstrate that we will take action against rogue companies.
“A reputable company knows its legal obligations, accesses support and guidance from the ICO, and respects the role of the TPS and those who sign up to it. Both Breathe Services and Money Bubble ignored the measures which are in place to protect people’s privacy, showing complete disregard to all those that registered with the TPS.
“The enforcement action we have taken should act as a warning to any other organisation considering operating in a similar way.”
It is unlawful for an organisation to make marketing calls to any phone number registered with the TPS, unless the owner has given consent.
People are reminded to register with the TPS should they want to opt out of unsolicited sales and marketing calls. They can also make a complaint to the ICO if they feel their information has been mishandled or have received spam messages or calls.
