Swansea has been dubbed “the nuisance call capital of the UK” after two more companies were fined by the Information Commissioner’s Office, bringing to six the total number of firms operating out of the city which have been whacked by the regulator since 2013.
Falcon & Pointer, which made millions of automated calls about PPI, and Direct Choice Home Improvements, which traumatised people with nuisance calls asking to speak to deceased relatives, were both based in Swansea.
This week Falcon & Pointer has been hit with a £175,000 fine after its PPI automated calls prompted more than 5,500 complaints to the ICO.
Meanwhile, Direct Choice Home Improvements, which sells products such as windows, doors and conservatories, has been fined £50,000.
Anne Jones, assistant commissioner for Wales, said: “Our action will send a clear message to callous cold callers operating in Swansea that they must follow the rules.
“We’d previously contacted both of these companies but they showed a blatant disregard for the law by continuing to make nuisance calls. Their action left many people feeling frustrated and harassed.”
She added: “Both these firms tried to shift the blame by pointing the finger at a third party. This is not an acceptable defence. It is a company’s responsibility to ensure it does not make marketing calls that break the rules.”
The penalties come as the ICO publishes its updated Direct Marketing Guidance, which enables organisations to understand how to comply with the law and follow good practice.
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