Peter Jones t/a Webserve CMS

The case concerned an Information, Connection and/or Signposting Service which operated on the number range 0843 455 number range. 

The Level 2 provider for the Service was a sole trader, Peter Jones who traded as Webserve CMS Limited. The Network operator was Telecoms World Limited. 

The Service was first registered on the Executive’s registration scheme on 31 January 2019 and the Level 2 provider became responsible for the Service on 2 May 2019. The Level 2 provider registered five trading names with the Executive: “Contact Phone Numbers UK”, “Quick Number”, “Contact Universal Credit”, “Gov Benefits” and “Correct Contacts”. On 30 December 2020, the provider updated “Correct Contacts” to “Runcorn Bridge Tolls”.

The Executive sent a Warning Notice to the Level 2 provider on 8 February 2021 in which the following breaches of the Code were raised:

• Rule 2.3.10 Vulnerability

• Paragraph 3.4.1 Provider Registration

• Paragraph 3.11.3 ICSS 1 Special Conditions

• Paragraph 3.11.3 ICSS 2 Special Conditions

• Paragraph 3.11.3 ICSS 4 Special Conditions

• Paragraph 3.11.3 ICSS 5 Special Conditions

On 15 March 2021, the Tribunal reached a decision in respect of the breaches.

Sanctions imposed

• formal reprimand  

• compliance advice is sought and implemented to the satisfaction of the Executive

• that access to the Level 2 provider’s Service and all of its numbers is barred for a period of two years or until the Level 2 provider has paid its fine and administration charges in full and sought and implemented compliance advice to the satisfaction of the PSA, whichever is the later

• a requirement that the Level 2 provider must refund all consumers who claim a refund for the full amount spent by them on the Service within 28 days of their claim, save where there is good cause to believe that such claims are not valid, and provide evidence to PSA that such refunds have been made

• a fine of £135,000.

Administrative charge recommendation: 100%