Cold Call Kingpin Banned for Eight Years After Bombarding Millions
Duncan Paul, 51, director of the infamous cold-calling firm CRDNN Limited, has been slapped with an eight-year ban from running any company. His firm blasted millions of unsolicited sales calls at homes and businesses, driving the public mad.
CRDNN’s Call Blitz Sparked Chaos
Based in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, CRDNN hurled over 63 million automated calls in 2018 alone. Targets were bombarded with scams about window scrappage, debt management, conservatory sales, and fake boiler service offers. Many calls fraudulently linked themselves to official Scottish and UK government energy-saving schemes.
One alarming episode saw CRDNN’s spam clog a Network Rail control centre near Fort William, risking public safety and disrupting rail lines.
Fines, Liquidation & Director Disqualifications
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) hit CRDNN with a £500,000 maximum fine in 2020. But CRDNN dodged payment by going bust in January 2021. Co-director Stephen Foote, 44, was also banned for eight years earlier this year.
Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Duncan Paul’s company disrupted millions with relentless cold calls. We’ve taken firm action to stop him and Foote running businesses for eight years.”
ICO Cracks Down On Rogue Cold Callers
The ICO received nearly 3,000 complaints online, plus 411 through the Telephone Preference Service about CRDNN’s relentless calls. Trevor Callaghan, ICO Director of Enforcement, blasted the directors: “They operated with blatant disregard for the law and public safety. Their actions annoyed and distressed countless people, even risking essential services.”
The ICO is working closely with the Insolvency Service to ensure these dodgy directors don’t reappear under different guises. The bans began from May 2 for Paul, and January 2023 for Foote, barring them from company management without court approval.
CRDNN flagrantly breached regulations governing automated calls, leaving their fines unpaid despite liquidation. This crackdown sends a warning: nuisance callers beware – your free reign is over.
