The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has raided a business in Chichester suspected of making illegal cold calls in relation to pensions.

The company’s premises, in the centre of the city, were searched yesterday by ICO officials, who then seized computer equipment and documents for analysis.

ICO enforcement group manager, David Clancy, said: “The law now offers greater protection for people troubled by cold calls about their hard-earned pensions. This includes a ban on certain types of calls being made in relation to pensions.

"Today’s search and our investigation should serve as a warning to business owners that they must follow the law.”

Following changes to the law in January, marketing calls related to pension schemes can only be made by a person or firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority unless the person being called has previously consented to being called by a company.

Other calls can only be made by the trustees or managers of a pension scheme to which the person being called is a member.

The ICO says that unsolicited calls are the most common method for companies who operate pension scams to contact people.

It has powers to go after companies who make nuisance calls and can impose fines of up to £500,000.

Back in March, the ICO fined a Kent pensions company £40,000 for sending nearly two million direct marketing emails without consent.

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