Direct Marketing Commission - Enforcing Higher Industry Standards

Data & Marketing Commission | Enforcing Higher Industry Standards

News

News

Government consultation paper on penalties for silent calls 9th February, 2010

The Government has sought views on its plans to raise the current maximum penalty for silent and abandoned calls from the current limit of £ 50,000 to £ 250,000, £500,000, £1 million or £2 million. The consultation paper follows commitments in the Digital Britain Report and the Consumer White Paper to increase the penalties for organisations making excessive silent calls.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain, said: “We want to send a clear message to those companies that are persistently abusing these automated calling systems that this will not be tolerated and there is a price to pay.”

Ofcom chairman, Colette Bowe, commented: “Ofcom needs stronger powers to take action against companies causing consumer harm and we welcome Government’s proposals to increase the maximum financial penalty.”

The consultation closed on 25 January and we are now awaiting the Government's response.

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