Personal Injury Data Theft Ring — 13 Convicted for Stealing 1 Million Records
The ICO’s largest-ever nuisance call investigation resulted in the conviction of 13 individuals for a conspiracy to steal personal data from over 400 vehicle repair garages. Approximately one million records were accessed and sold to claims management firms to generate personal injury leads. Convictions came at Bolton Crown Court, with sentences including suspended prison terms. A second phase of prosecutions targeting individuals in insurance companies and CMCs is ongoing. Sources ICO: Fines of £225,000 for nuisance marketing messages
Allsure Ltd Licence Cancelled for Encouraging Fabricated Holiday Sickness Claims
Allsure Ltd (Preston) had its claims management licence cancelled by the Claims Management Regulator for encouraging holidaymakers to fabricate gastric illness symptoms and using deceptive sales scripts. The case was emblematic of a wider epidemic in which fraudulent holiday sickness claims surged 500% to approximately 35,000 in 2016, costing the travel industry an estimated £240 million. Sources GOV.UK: Licence stripped from holiday sickness firm Travel Weekly: Top law firm 'testing the water' with group illness action
