Fine for cold calls a warning to businesses

Citizens Advice has said Tameside Energy Services Limited’s £45,000 fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) sends a warning to businesses that nuisance calls will not be tolerated.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“It’s good to see the ICO using its powers to fine companies who relentlessly pester people with sales calls.  It serves as a warning to businesses that they’re not at liberty to bombard people with marketing calls and face severe consequences if they do.

“Citizens Advice evidence shows that in some industries problems go beyond the nuisance of unwanted calls. We found a direct correlation between shoddy financial services, cold calling and lead generation.  Following a cold call, people are paying up front fees for services that don’t deliver or being ripped off by a scam.  Citizens Advice wants to see financial services banned from cold calling.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.