Former Birmingham Company Hit with £100,000 Fine for Predatory Calls
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has imposed a substantial fine of £100,000 on TMAC Ltd, a company previously based in Birmingham, for making over 260,000 unsolicited marketing sales calls to numbers registered on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This enforcement action highlights a severe breach of privacy regulations, with the ICO describing the calls as 'predatory' and targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly.
Targeting Vulnerable Populations
Between February and September 2024, TMAC Ltd, which sells personal pendant alarms and security systems, conducted a series of calls that specifically aimed at people aged over 60 years old. Call transcripts reveal that employees did not disclose their true identities, instead claiming to represent various local crime and fire prevention initiatives to deceive recipients. This tactic exploited the trust of those who may need extra support for their safety.
Brazen Disregard for Privacy Laws
Andy Curry, Head of Investigations at the ICO, condemned the company's actions, stating, 'When people register with the TPS it is because they want to protect themselves from unwanted marketing calls. TMAC’s actions showed a brazen disregard for privacy laws – making thousands of intrusive calls each month and failing to identify themselves to the recipients.' The fine was issued under section 40 of the Data Protection Act 1998 due to serious contraventions of regulations 21 and 24 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
Legal Requirements and Enforcement
Under PECR, companies are prohibited from making live marketing calls to TPS-registered numbers without explicit consent. Organisations must screen their calling lists against the TPS register and ensure callers identify themselves, display their telephone number, and provide contact details. TMAC Ltd failed to comply with these requirements, leading to the significant penalty.
Company Background and Public Reporting
According to Companies House, TMAC Ltd has since relocated its registered address to London as of March 5, 2026. One of the company directors admitted that the telephone numbers used were sourced from second-hand data acquired from a previous employer. Andy Curry emphasised the importance of public reporting in such cases, saying, 'We are grateful to those who reported these calls to us. Public reporting plays a crucial role in our work, and where we see organisations causing harm through unlawful and predatory direct marketing, we will not hesitate to act.'
This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal obligations surrounding data protection and the consequences of violating privacy laws, especially when targeting vulnerable groups in the community.
