ICO urges Brits to report robo-calls as incidents soar

The Information Commission has urged UK consumers to be more active in rifling off complaints about so-called “robo calls” amid claims that many incidents are going unreported.

In its first intervention since the regulator was overhauled, the ICO has reported that the number of complaints made about automated nuisance calls has surged, up threefold, in just three months and reaching its highest level since 2021. In fact, complaints from the general public rose from 1,374 in July to 2,178 in August, an increase of 58%, before climbing a further 69% to 3,684 in September.

The sharp rise has prompted renewed warnings about the scale of the problem, with the ICO cautioning that the true number of automated calls being made is likely to be far higher than the complaints data suggests.

The increase comes amid growing concern about automated and AI-enabled marketing calls, as well as other calls which can be used to trick people into joining WhatsApp groups, sharing personal information or engaging with fraudulent schemes.

The regulator claims it is actively investigating the rise in automated calls under the Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and is urging the public to report their experiences.

Since April 2025, the ICO has issued 15 fines in respect of nuisance calls and spam texts, totalling £2,370,000. Last year Home Improvement Marketing Ltd and Green Spark Energy were collectively fined a total of £550,000 for making automated marketing calls unlawfully.

ICO head of investigations Andy Curry said: “The sharp rise in complaints about automated calls is deeply concerning. These calls are not just a nuisance; they can cause real distress and are often designed to manipulate people into handing over personal information or money.

“The numbers we’re seeing are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. We know many people simply hang up and move on without reporting what happened.

“Our message is simple: if you receive a suspicious automated call, report it to us by using our simple online form. Every report helps us build a clearer picture of who’s behind these calls and strengthens our ability to take enforcement action.

“The more information we have, the better equipped we are to identify patterns, investigate those responsible and protect the public from harm. Your complaint could play a vital role in helping us stop these operations.”

ICO urges Brits to report robo-calls as incidents soar

Be the first to comment on "ICO urges Brits to report robo-calls as incidents soar"