Raids across UK in crackdown on nuisance car finance texts

Laptops, mobile phones and documents were seized during search warrants conducted by officials investigating claims companies responsible for spam text messages about car finance mis-selling. The UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) executed these warrants at homes and businesses linked to five companies in London, Liverpool, Bolton, Burnley and Swansea.

Over 12 million complaints about nuisance marketing text messages have been submitted since September 2025, with claims management companies (CMCs) and other firms attempting to profit from the billions of pounds in compensation for motorists mis-sold car loans. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had set a £7.5 billion industry-wide compensation scheme for these victims, but legal challenges led to a partial suspension.

ICO's head of investigations, Andy Curry, stated that people are frustrated with unwanted calls, texts and emails about car finance claims, and they are taking action. The companies involved are subject to ongoing investigation and are believed to have sent a combined 170 million texts to the public between September 2025 and May this year.

The ICO is collaborating with the FCA, Advertising Standards Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority to address poor practices in motor finance claims by certain CMCs, law firms and lead generation companies. This escalation in the crackdown on rogue CMCs and businesses follows the removal or amendment of over 1,200 misleading adverts by the FCA since January 2024.

Consumers can file a free complaint through the FCA's website, and a nationwide advertising campaign has been launched to direct people to this resource until September 6.