Spam SMSers are facing large fines

UK DATA WATCHDOG, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will fine two companies around a quarter of a million quid for sending out spam text messages.

According to the ICO the two firms have sent out millions of spam text messages illegally. It will fine them for breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

The firms have a month to respond. If they do not or cannot prove that they were working within the law, the penalties will be issued. They were sending out fake messages about accident or insurance payouts, according to the ICO.

"The public have told us that they are increasingly concerned about the illegal marketing texts and calls. These are often made by rogue companies claiming to offer pay outs for accidents a person has never had or Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) claims that they are not necessarily entitled to," said Simon Entwisle, ICO director of operations.

"The law states that individuals should not receive unsolicited texts or automated marketing calls unless they have given their permission. We know many companies are failing to do this and two individuals responsible for sending millions of illegal marketing messages are now facing six figure penalties unless they can prove otherwise."

The firms involved have not been named. Yet. µ