Ilford energy firm Maxen Power Supply Ltd fined £120,000

Maxen Power Supply Ltd made unsolicited marketing calls to people and businesses while falsely claiming to represent other organisations.

They included the National Grid, other energy suppliers or the UK Government.

The company was fined £120,000 and was issued with an enforcement notice ordering it to stop calling people and businesses registered with the TPS and CTPS, or who had previously objected to such calls.

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It is against the law for organisations to make marketing calls to anyone signed up with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS), – which operate a “do not call” register – unless the individual or business has explicitly consented to receive these calls.  

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and TPS received more than 100 complaints about unsolicited marketing calls to businesses and people registered with the TPS and CTPS.

These indicated that people were receiving multiple calls on the same day and were receiving repeated calls despite requests to opt-out. 

They were also subjected to “aggressive” marketing tactics, causing potential financial damage.  

The complaints additionally showed that Maxen Power Supply Ltd was making calls from overseas call centres that purported to be from the National Grid or the recipient’s existing energy supplier.

The firm claimed it could help people save money on their energy bills by switching contracts, while asking for information about their current supplier and meter readings.

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The company denied responsibility for the complaints raised, claiming these international call centres were “independent contractors” and “third party intermediaries”.

Andy Curry, ICO head of investigations, said: “Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable after simply answering the phone.

“People and businesses register with the TPS and CTPS for a clear reason; to stop unwanted marketing calls and protect their privacy.

“These companies have not only broken the law by failing to check the ‘do not call’ register, but also caused distress and potential financial damage to businesses on the receiving end of their deceptive sales tactics.

“In the case of Maxen Power Supply Ltd, there is no way of knowing just how many unlawful calls were made due to the use of false company names and ‘spoofed’ caller identities (CLIs).

“This fine should send a clear message that companies cannot avoid the law and avoid detection by the use of third-parties and overseas call centres.

“The ICO will continue to take action to ensure both the public and UK businesses are protected.”