A marketing company that bombarded householders with 1.6 million nuisance calls has been fined £60,000.
Omega Marketing Services, which is based in Glasgow, prompted 177 complaints over its calls trying to sell solar panels and green energy equipment.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) acted after establishing that the company had “ignored the rules around telephone marketing” when it contacted people who were registered with the telephone preference service and who had not given their permission to receive calls.
One complainer said: “My mother would have bought the product they were selling just to stop the phone calls.” Another said: “If someone knocked on your door with such regularity they’d get arrested for harassment.”
Ken Macdonald, the head of ICO regions, said: “Omega Marketing Services had no right to make these calls and, in doing so, they caused frustration, anger and upset.
“That’s why we took action. The people they were calling took action too — they took the time and trouble to complain, and it makes a difference. It helps us identify patterns, trace hidden numbers and build up a case against rogue firms.
“Ultimately, when people complain we have a better chance of tracking down the rogue companies and stopping the nuisance.”
The ICO has also fined a London-based debt management company £40,000 for sending spam texts. It said that Vincent Bond sent 346,162 texts offering quick cash loans to people who had not given their permission to receive the messages.
Members of the public can report nuisance calls at ico.org.uk/calls.
