Mobiles: ICO has received 12m complaints in nine months
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has executed search warrants across the UK as part of investigations into five companies believed to be responsible for sending 170 million text messages about motor finance claims.
It is the latest action taken by the joint taskforce of the ICO, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Solicitors Regulation Authority and Advertising Standards Authority set up last October to tackle how motor finance claims are handled and promoted to consumers.
The ICO said it had received more than 12 million complaints about nuisance marketing text messages since September 2025, with up to 100,000 received per day.
The warrants targeted a mix of residential and business premises linked to five companies across Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea. The companies are believed to be responsible for sending a combined 170 million text messages to members of the public between September 2025 and May 2026.
Andy Curry, head of investigations at the ICO, said: “People are fed up with being bombarded by unwanted calls, texts and emails about car finance claims, and we’re taking action. This week’s searches send a clear message to the claims management sector: comply with the law or expect to hear from us.
“We are working closely with our taskforce partners to make sure people are properly informed and protected and we will not hesitate to take further action where we find evidence of wrongdoing.”
Alison Walters, director of consumer finance at the FCA, added: “Through our joint taskforce, we are sharing information and working together to protect consumers and improve standards across the sector. Where we find firms breaking the rules, we will not hesitate to act alongside our regulatory partners.”
The ICO urged all companies operating in the claims management sector, including lead generators and law firms responsible for instigating direct marketing, to ensure they were complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
The FCA says that over 1,220 misleading adverts have been removed or amended since January 2024 and it has also agreed to voluntary requirements with 12 firms to stop or change their marketing activities.
It says too that more than 28,000 consumers have been able to exit contracts with claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms free of charge, and three CMCs have “reduced their unreasonable fees protecting over 500,000 consumers”.
The FCA has also confirmed two enforcement investigations into The Claims Protection Agency Ltd and Consultation Claims Ltd.