Liverpool addresses raided as part of ‘vishing’ probe

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) yesterday (June 27) searched two addresses in Liverpool as part of an ongoing investigation into the acquisition and sale of illegally obtained personal data.

Following a six month investigation, working in partnership with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), two teams of ICO enforcement officers executed search warrants at a business and a residential address to seize computer equipment and documents which will be analysed for evidence.

The business is suspected of carrying out high volumes of data farming activity, known as blagging or vishing, to illegally obtain the personal data of motor accident victims to sell on to solicitors for personal injury claims.

The business is alleged to have been carrying out this illegal activity since November 2017.

Mike Shaw, ICO group manager-enforcement, said: “Today’s searches will fire a warning shot to businesses who operate outside the law by engaging in data farming.

“The evidence seized will help us identify any illegal business activities and assist us to take enforcement action.”

Vishing is the act of using the telephone in an attempt to obtain private, personal and financial information within what seems like a normal conversation.

Often callers pose as policy holders, claimants or other companies in a position of trust.

Vishing calls to the insurance industry are frequently made by marketing firms or claims management companies in order to obtain information from insurers to enable referrals to law firms for personal injury claims to be initiated.

The alleged offences are contrary to s.170 Data Protection Act 2018 and previously under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998.