ICO executes search warrants related to millions of automated nuisance calls
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has searched two addresses in Nottingham as part of an investigation into a network suspected of making hundreds of millions of nuisance calls.

ICO enforcement officers were joined by colleagues from the Claims Management Regulator and Nottinghamshire Police to execute a search warrant at an office building in the city. A house was also searched at the same time.

The operation was part of an ICO investigation into a network of people and associated companies believed to be responsible for bombarding UK citizens with hundreds of millions of unsolicited automated calls promoting personal injury claims.

Computer equipment and documents were seized for analysis and the ICO’s enquiries into alleged breaches of the laws surrounding unsolicited telephone marketing continues.

The Claims Management Regulator, part of the Ministry of Justice, is also investigating potential breaches of the Compensation Act 2006.

Andy Curry, the ICO’s Enforcement Group Manager, said:

“People are sick and tired of receiving nuisance calls. The evidence we had already gathered prior to these warrants suggests this network, operating both in the UK and overseas, is responsible for making hundreds of millions of them.

“We hope the material we have now recovered will help identify other organisations and individuals in a lengthy and complex investigation, and assist the ICO and our partners in taking enforcement action. It will have the added effect of disrupting these people’s activities, which cause so much annoyance and distress to the UK public.”