ICO fines “compensation” text generators £440k


The owners of a company that has been plaguing the public with unsolicited text messages and then selling on respondents’ details to claims management firms has been fined £440,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).


An example of their work includes: “You have still not claimed the compensation you are due for the accident you had. To claim then pls reply CLAIM. To opt out text STOP”


Tetrus Telecoms, which is jointly owned by Christopher Niebel and Gary McNeish, has been sending huge volumes of unsolicited text messages from offices in Stockport and Birmingham, without the consent of the recipient and without identifying the sender – both of which are requirements under Privacy and Electronic Communications regulations.


The company was set up in December 2009 and is believed to have been operational since then.


According to the ICO, the two men made hundreds of thousands of pounds profit during the course of three years.


Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, says: “Our message to the public is that if you don’t know who sent you a text message then do not respond, otherwise your details may be used to generate profits for these unscrupulous individuals.


“Together we can put an end to this unlawful industry that continues to plague our daily lives.”


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Category: Insurance News, Legal News






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