The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has carried out a series of search warrants at residential and commercial properties across the UK as part of an investigation into companies suspected of sending mass nuisance text messages relating to car finance mis‑selling claims.
Widespread operations in several towns and cities
The ICO said warrants were executed on Wednesday at premises in Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea. The searches target businesses and homes linked to five companies the regulator suspects of unlawful marketing activity.
According to the ICO, the firms under investigation are believed to have sent a combined total of around 170 million text messages between September 2025 and May 2026. The action follows a surge in complaints: more than 12 million nuisance motor finance text complaints have been recorded since September last year, with the watchdog receiving as many as 100,000 reports in a single day.
Enforcement and partnership working
The ICO said it was acting alongside other regulators and professional bodies to tackle what it described as poor practice in the claims management sector. Partners include the Financial Conduct Authority, the Advertising Standards Authority and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“People are fed up with being bombarded by unwanted calls, texts and emails about car finance claims, and we’re taking action,” said Andy Curry, head of investigations at the ICO. “This week’s searches send a clear message to the claims management sector: comply with the law or expect to hear from us.”
The regulator added that it will continue to work with taskforce partners to make sure the public are properly informed and protected, and that it will take further action where evidence of wrongdoing is found.
What the figures show
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated texts sent by the five firms | 170 million |
| Complaints received since Sept 2025 | 12 million+ |
| Peak complaints in a day | ~100,000 |
Practical information for residents
The ICO’s action underscores the scale of nuisance marketing linked to alleged mis‑sold car finance claims. If you are receiving unwanted texts or calls about car finance, you can report them to the ICO via its website. Keeping records of messages and noting any phone numbers or sender details can help regulators and enforcement partners in their investigations.
- Warrants were executed in Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea.
- The probe focuses on five companies thought to have sent around 170 million texts.
- Complaints to the ICO about motor finance texts have exceeded 12 million since September 2025.
The ICO has not named the companies under investigation. The regulator said further action will follow if evidence of illegality or regulatory breaches emerges from its enquiries.
