ICO investigation into nuisance calls leads to more convictions
An ICO investigation into nuisance calls and the unlawful accessing and sale of personal information has led to two further convictions.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has reported that two men have been convicted after obtaining customer information from over 400 garages, insurers and accident management companies.
The convictions come as part of an ongoing investigation that began in 2016 and has now resulted in 13 prosecutions.
The ICO has said its investigation is ongoing and expects further prosecutions of people who found work at insurance and accident management companies for purpose of stealing customer information.
Meanwhile, the ICO has also reported that following a 10-week trial eight more men have been found guilty of obtaining customer information from repairers to generate potential personal injury claims.
Nuisance calls
Andy Curry, ICO head of investigations, said: “Most of us have had nuisance calls asking if we’ve been in a crash. At best they’re annoying but at worst they cause real upset and fear, especially to vulnerable people, and have a real impact on the businesses affected.
“This case uncovered a vast, murky criminal network where crash details were stolen from garages across England, Scotland and Wales and traded to fuel distressing predatory calls.
“This has been an enormous and complex case which has seen ICO staff use both technical expertise and investigative skills to work tirelessly to track down those responsible and hold them accountable on behalf of the public.”
