A BOURNEMOUTH firm that claimed to stop people receiving nuisance calls has been fined – after making nuisance calls itself.

Point One Marketing, trading as Stop the Calls, was put under investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following hundreds of complaints it was using bullying tactics and aggressive cold calling to market its call blocking device for phones, as well as a service that removes people from a cold call database.

The company was fined £50,000.

ICO Head of Enforcement, Stephen Eckersley, said: “This company lacked integrity. They tried to sell a product that they claimed would stop nuisance calls, knowing full well they were responsible for so many such calls themselves.

“That they operated in what appears to have been such a bullying, aggressive way only makes matters worse.”

People complained the company used pressure sales tactics and made repeated calls, sometimes several on the same day, and ignored requests to stop the calls.

Some complainants reported salespeople shouting at them when they asked not to be called again. One woman was talked into providing credit card details, despite it being obvious she suffered with dementia.

“We promised to act swiftly against the companies that break the law and we have,” Mr Eckersley added.

“This fine has been issued because of the people who complained to us about this company. But they are by no means the only offender out there.

“If you are receiving nuisance calls, then let us know, and we can act as we have here.”

An alternative way to stop nuisance calls is through the Telephone Preference Service, which is free to use.