The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) executed search warrants in Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea on Wednesday as part of a major investigation into suspected nuisance marketing linked to car finance. The data regulator said more than 12 million complaints about marketing text messages have been submitted by the public since September 2025.
Joint operation targets five companies
The ICO is working alongside the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to tackle poor handling of motor finance claims connected to the mis-selling scheme. The warrants targeted a mix of residential and business premises linked to five companies across the locations.
The companies are subject to ongoing investigations, believed to be responsible for sending a combined 170 million text messages to members of the public between September 2025 and May 2026.
Regulators send 'clear message' to claims sector
Andy Curry, Head of Investigations at the ICO, said people were 'fed up' with being bombarded by unwanted calls, texts and emails about car finance claims. "This week's searches send a clear message to the claims management sector - comply with the law or expect to hear from us."
"We are working closely with our taskforce partners to make sure people are properly informed and protected and we will not hesitate to take further action where we find evidence of wrongdoing," Curry added.
FCA warns firms against aggressive marketing
Alison Walters, Director of Consumer Finance at the FCA, said: "Firms that misuse people’s personal information or use aggressive marketing can cause serious harm and damage trust. Through our joint taskforce, we are sharing information and working together to protect consumers and improve standards across the sector. Where we find firms breaking the rules, we will not hesitate to act alongside our regulatory partners."
