April 20, 2020

The ICO says that it is aware of a growing number of organisations using the public health emergency opportunistically to set up scams and contact vulnerable people using nuisance calls, unsolicited emails, and spam texts. In recent weeks the ICO has seen an increase in complaints about nuisance marketing clearly aimed at preying on people’s fears and it is prioritising such cases. The ICO says: “We stand ready to investigate any business taking advantage of the current pandemic”.

The ICO has the ability to issue penalties under electronic marketing rules to individual company directors as well as their companies, including fines of up to £500,000.

Where the ICO finds evidence of fraud it says that it is working closely with Action Fraud, Trading Standards, law enforcement and other relevant agencies, to continue to protect people, raise awareness and stop criminals during this challenging period. To read the statement in full, click here.Which