Two energy companies, Crown Glazing and Maxen Power Supply, have collectively received a £250,000 fine from the UK watch dog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for making unlawful marketing calls to individuals and businesses in the UK who are on the ‘do not call’ list.

The law strictly prohibits organisations from making marketing calls to individuals and businesses who have registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) or the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS), both of which maintain the ‘do not call’ registry. Such calls are only permitted if the individuals or businesses have expressly agreed to receive them.

Crown Glazing Ltd., an energy company located in Preston, Lancashire, was fined £130,000 due to their involvement in over 500,000 unsolicited marketing calls to individuals who were on the TPS list for at least 28 days. The ICO received 37 complaints about Crown Glazing Ltd.’s marketing calls. Most calls were about double-glazing and a free energy test, but some complaints said the company suggested it was from the UK government and trying to help save energy.

Energy supplier Maxen Power Supply Ltd., with headquarters in Ilford, Essex, was fined £120,000 for using aggressive marketing strategies and providing false information, which led to numerous complaints to the ICO. People complained that they received many calls daily, even after trying to opt-out.

Further complaints revealed that Maxen Power Supply Ltd. used foreign call centers that posed as National Grid or the receiver’s current energy provider. The company promised to cut energy costs through contract switches and requested details about their present energy suppliers and meters. However, Maxen Power Supply Ltd. denied the complaints, blaming them on third-party intermediaries.

Along with the fine, the ICO issued enforcement notices to both companies, instructing them to stop calling individuals and businesses on the “do not call” register or those who objected to such calls before. Andy Curry, ICO Head of Investigations said that these companies have caused a lot of distress and in some cases, financial damage to business by using deceptive sales tactics. 

Members of the public can do the following to protect themselves from unlawful marketing calls:

• Register with Telephone Preference Service and Corporate Telephone Preference Service for free:

Through the TPS and CTPS, customers can choose not to receive telemarketing calls. The TPS and CTPS keep a register that lawful marketing firms can check to find individuals and businesses who do not want marketing calls.

• Opt out of company marketing lists:

Individuals can directly let companies know they do not want to be contacted. Additionally, when pop-up boxes invite people to subscribe to a company’s newsletter, it’s essential to mark the opt-out choice.

• Report nuisance calls to the ICO:

Unwanted marketing calls, commonly known as spam calls, that aim to promote products, services, goals, or concepts to individuals without their prior consent can be reported to the ICO using the online reporting tool. This will enable the ICO to conduct investigations and take action against the people behind the calls.