"Britain's data watchdog has fined a sole trader £200,000 for nearly a million spam texts targeting people in debt - almost 20 pence per message. Bharat Singh Chand sent 966,449 messages about debt solutions and energy saving grants from 383 mobile numbers between December 3, 2023, and July 3, 2024, according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). This resulted in the fine confirmed today."
"The messages, the ICO claims, didn't include a website address or any identifying information about the sender, simply inviting the recipient to reply "YES" to find out more about debt services. Those that replied in the affirmative received a phone call from a company calling themselves "The Debt Relief Team." When officials from the ICO visited Chand's home with a search warrant on June 11 last year, he denied involvement in the scheme "despite a call script being on open display," the watchdog said."
"Other "evidence" included WhatsApp messages between Chand and a third party that involved "discussing excuses to provide to another related ICO investigation" in which he appeared to encourage another person to "lie" in response to a letter sent by the Commissioner. A whopping 19,138 complaints were received about the spam texts via the 7726 spam reporting service. The ICO penalized Chand, saying he "knowingly and deliberately transmitted or instigated the transmission of 966,449 text messages without valid consent, breaking direct marketing rules.""
The Information Commissioner's Office fined a Carmarthenshire sole trader £200,000 for sending 966,449 unsolicited text messages about debt solutions and energy-saving grants. Messages were sent from 383 mobile numbers between December 3, 2023 and July 3, 2024 and lacked identifying information or a website, inviting recipients to reply "YES". Respondents received calls from a company naming itself "The Debt Relief Team." ICO investigators found a call script on display during a warrant visit and WhatsApp messages suggesting attempts to obstruct a related probe. The spam generated 19,138 complaints via the 7726 reporting service. The trader has appealed.
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