Three in four get nuisance phone call

Almost three quarters of people were on the receiving end of a nuisance call in the past month, a survey has found.

Two in five of those asked by Which? said they felt intimidated. The same number said they were distressed by unsolicited marketing or sales calls.

The consumer watchdog is urging the Government to make sure bosses of the companies behind such calls are held accountable.

Under new proposals, the Information Commissioner’s Office could be given stronger powers to hold company directors directly responsible for breaking the law, with further fines of up to £500,000.

Only businesses are liable for such fines. Some directors try to avoid paying the penalty by declaring bankruptcy, only to open up again under a different name, the department said.

A three-month consultation on the matter launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport was due to close today.

Alex Neill, from Which?, said nuisance calls could be a “daily torment” for some people. She said: “The Government must seize this opportunity and act swiftly to deliver on its promise to stamp out dodgy practices.”