Ofcom investigates TalkTalk over silent call claims

Date: 17/10/2011

Firms purchasing new 0800 numbers may be interested to know that TalkTalk is in trouble with Ofcom.

The telecoms regulator is investigating the company for making silent calls in February and March this year.

These instances occur when contact centres use automated machines to get in touch with customers, but there are not enough operatives to handle the calls when they successfully connect.

Ofcom said it has "reasonable grounds" to believe TalkTalk "persistently" made such calls using electronic communications devices.

The enterprise claimed the problem occurred when it worked with a South African firm earlier this year, which it has now ceased to have dealings with.

TalkTalk has been given until November to take steps to prevent the issue from happening again and could be hit with a £2 million fine by the regulatory body.

Last month, it was discovered that TalkTalk was the most complained about landline provider in the UK between April and June this year.