Fines threat for credit text messages

Firms face raids and fines of up to £500,000 for sending unsolicited text messages about credit or compensation. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said tackling the issue was a "high priority". Typical messages claim recipients are entitled to money, promise to write off debts or find a loan, or suggest accident compensation can be claimed. But in many cases, the products they are selling can actually make people financially worse off. The ICO said it was investigating several cases at the moment, and had identified certain companies to target. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) charity is running a campaign against unsolicited texts, and believes the messages cynically target vulnerable people. Late-night texts Sarah Stocks, from Plymouth, said she started to be bombarded by texts after enquiring online about applying for a loan. She decided not to go ahead with the application, but by then, her contact details were already being used. "I got [texts] all the time, sometimes four or five a day. You know, you're lying in bed reading, about to switch off the light, and you get a text at 10.30pm. But when you pick it up it says 'Do you want a loan for £5,000?'," she said. Continue reading the main story " Start Quote Our recent survey reveals that half the population has received this type of spam texts, causing people alarm and distress" Steve Eckersley ICO "It is just absolute harassment. I think they have sold my details on to more companies." Many of these texts can be from legitimate companies, and come after a box is ticked, or terms and conditions are agreed to that allow the company to get in touch. But others are randomly generated, and are against the law if no consent has been given to allow such messages to be sent. These companies do not know anything about the recipient or their finances, or even if the phone number is real. If a reply is sent, the number becomes more valuable because the sender knows it is genuine. Christmas concerns The CCCS is highlighting this issue on social networking site Twitter. It is asking people to tweet every time they get an unwanted spam text. Matt Hartley, who is helping to run the campaign, said one person received 90 messages from debt and loan companies on Christmas Day. -----

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Posted By UK Newsdesk to The World News Media