Nuisance-call blocker fined £190k for being a nuisance caller

The UK's data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has imposed a fine of £190,000 ($258,000) on a nuisance call blocking business for repeatedly bombarding elderly individuals with unwanted marketing calls. Elderly Aids Ltd was responsible for making 758,053 unsolicited calls between May 2024 and February 2025, averaging 2,916 calls per day.

This blatant disregard for the law and the vulnerability of its targets resulted in 20 complaints being filed to the ICO and the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Elderly Aids' aggressive sales tactics, including pressuring individuals to sign up for services with a £139 sign-up fee and a recurring £6.99 monthly payment, were common grievances.

ICO head Andy Curry emphasized the severe disregard for the law and the well-being of the targeted individuals. Russell Roach, director of preference services at the Data & Marketing Association (DMA), urged responsible businesses to screen their calling lists against the TPS and Corporate TPS registers. The ICO also noted that Elderly Aids failed to cooperate with regulators despite multiple requests for information.