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Banned companies

Our Tribunal has the power to impose sanctions on non-compliant providers and associated individuals where it finds that breaches of our Code have occurred following an investigation under our Track 2 procedure. This can include prohibiting (or 'barring’) a provider or individual from the market for lengthy periods.

Prohibitions are generally the most serious sanctions available to the Tribunal and in the interests of transparency we publish a list of all service providers that are subject to a prohibition.

Reason for sanction
This case was brought against Connect You Limited under Paragraph 5.4 of the 15th Edition of the Code of Practice.
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition of the Merchant from any involvement in any PRS or promotion of PRS for a period of three years starting from the date of publication.
Date sanction imposed
04/04/2023
Date sanction expires
04/04/2026

Sanctions not complied with
Non-payment of the outstanding financial sanction  imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case reference: 116798)
Directors/Responsible person
Mr David Rogers and Ms Kyla Rogers 
Further sanction imposed
The Tribunal imposed a prohibition from providing any premium rate service for a period of five years from the date of publication of the Tribunal’s decision.
Date further sanction imposed
23/11/2017

 

Sanctions not complied with
Non-payment of the financial sanction  imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref: 79449)
Directors/Responsible person
Mr Paul Boden
Further sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of this decision, or until the breaches are remedied by payment of the outstanding fine and the original and instant administrative charges, whichever is the later.  
Date further sanction imposed
05/05/2017

Reason for sanction
This case (case reference 184638) concerns the non-payment of the financial sanction and non-payment of the administration charge that was imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case reference: 158026).
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges, whichever is the later.  
Date sanction imposed
06/07/2020
Date sanction expires
07/07/2025

Reason for sanction
Failure to take all reasonable steps to comply with the universal refund sanction imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref 85964)
Details of sanction imposed
The Tribunal imposed a formal reprimand and a prohibition on the provider for a period of 5 years.
Date sanction imposed
06/10/2017

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case reference: 137924)
Details of sanction imposed
Prohibited from having any involvement in any current or future PRS operated on a number or number range within the PSA’s regulatory remit for a period of 5 years or until all sanctions imposed by the Tribunal of 7 June 2018 have been complied with, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
08/02/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case reference: 133839)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, or until all sanctions imposed by the Tribunal of 10 October 2018 have been complied with and both administrative charges have been paid in full, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
22/08/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
The service and provider were found to be in breach of five Code provisions, including rules relating to fairness, pricing, providing a misleading service and complaint handling.
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition from providing or having any involvement in any PRS or promotion for one year, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision. 
Date sanction imposed
15/03/2023
Date prohibition expires
15/03/2024

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of the outstanding financial sanctions (including a general refund sanction) imposed on it by an earlier Tribunal (case ref: 135934)
Details of sanction imposed
The Tribunal imposed a formal reprimand and a prohibition from operating any premium rate services for a period of five years or until they have complied with all sanctions that were imposed by the earlier Tribunals who heard the substantive case, whichever is longer. From the date of publication of the Tribunals decision. 
Date sanction imposed
07/07/2020
Date prohibition expires
07/07/2025

Reason for sanction
Non-compliance of the remedy the breach sanction agreed between the parties in the adjucaition by consent and imposed by a Tribunal on 17 September 2016 (case reference: 71971)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of this decision 
Date sanction imposed
16 August 2017
Date prohibition expires
16/08/2022

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 28 October 2019 (case ref 154674) concerning the operation of a subscription alert service operating under the brand name ‘StarSign Alerts’ on shortcode 60770 and costing 4.50 per message with up to two messages received per month.
Detail of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
28/10/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of outstanding financial sanction imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref 04842)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of eight years
Date sanction imposed
07/08/2014
Date prohibition expires
07/08/2022

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges; and the failure to refund consumers as directed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref 151390)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, from the date of the publication of this decision, or until all sanctions imposed by the Tribunal of 12 June 2019 have been complied with, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
03/12/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges; and the failure to refund consumers as directed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref 151390)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years.
Date sanction imposed
05/04/2017
Date prohibition expires
04/05/2022 or until payment of the outstanding fine and total administrative charges, whichever is the later.

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 3 November 2022 (case ref 179345) concerning Numbers Plus failure to meet its Risk Assessment and Risk Control obligations as a network operator.
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition from providing or having any involvement in any PRS or promotion for three years and until the PSA is satisfied that the breaches have been remedied and the compliance advice is fully implemented.
Date sanction imposed
03/11/2022
Date prohibition expires
03/11/2025

Reason for sanction
Non-compliance of the remedy the financial sanction agreed between the parties in the adjudication by consent and imposed by a Tribunal on 19 October 2016 (case reference: 74817)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of three years, starting from the date of publication of this decision, or until the breaches are remedied by payment of the outstanding fine and the original and instant administrative charges, whichever is the later.   
Date sanction imposed
05/05/2017
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case reference: 128953)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, or until all sanctions imposed by the Tribunal of 18 September 2018 have been complied with the administrative charge has been made in full, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
01/08/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 3 December 2019 (case ref 141951) concerning the operation of a call connection service that offered a connection to HM Passport Office, costing £1.50 for the first minute and £1.50 for each additional minute plus network access charges. (case ref 116798)
Detail of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until compliance advice has been implemented to the satisfaction of PSA and payment of the fine and the administrative charges in full, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
03/12/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 28 October 2019 (case ref 153966) concerning the operation of a subscription alert service operating under the brand name ‘Voucher SMS’ on shortcode 61450 and costing £4.50 per message with up to two messages received per month
Detail of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
28/10/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal on 20 March 2018 (case reference: 133553)
Details of sanction imposed
A formal reprimand
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing or having any involvement in any premium rate service for a period of 8 years from the date of the Tribunal decision or until payment of the fine and administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
18/04/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Directors/ responsible person
Jason Smith
Date prohibition imposed
28/11/2013
Date prohibition expires
27/11/2018
Sanction description
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years (starting from the date of publication of this decision).

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 21 May 2020 (case ref 161587) concerning the operation of an Information, Connection and Signposting Service (ICSS) operating on number ranges 09040121XXX, 09040127XXX and 0904012XXX, costing £3.60 per minute.
Detail of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
8 June 2020
Date sanction expires
7 June 2025

Directors/ responsible person
Christian Armour and Jacquiline Booth
Date prohibition imposed
16/09/2010
Date prohibition expires
See Sanction description (Remains unpaid)
Sanction description
The Tribunal imposed a bar on the Service Provider from all premium rate services until such date as the remainder of the fine and the new administrative charge in relation to this case are paid.

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of the outstanding financial sanction imposed by an earlier Tribunal (case ref 130464)
Detail of sanction imposed 
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, from the date of the publication of this decision, or until all sanctions imposed by the Tribunal of 13 September 2018 have been complied with, whichever is the later.
Date further sanction imposed
07/01/2020
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Directors/ responsible person
Naffisatu Adeikemie King (aka Ann-Marie King) and Curtis Brempong King
Date prohibition imposed
11/06/2015
Date prohibition expires
10/06/2018 or until payment of the refunds, outstanding fine and the original and instant administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Sanction description
A prohibition on the provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of three years, starting from the date of publication of this decision, or until payment of the refunds, outstanding fine and the original and instant administrative charges, whichever is the later.

Reason for sanction
Non-compliance with the remedy the breach sanction imposed by an earlier Tribunal
Details of sanction imposed
A requirement that access to the Service be  barred for a period of 5 years from the date of publication of the adjudication
Date sanction imposed
10 April 2017
Date prohibition expires
10/04/2022

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 29 January 2020 (Case reference:161768) concerning a subscription alert service operating under the brand name ‘Crowd Offers’ billing on the shortcode 83003 costing £3 per month for access.
Detail of sanction imposed 
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of two years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges in full, whichever is the later.
Date further sanction imposed
29/01/2020
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 30 and 31 May 2019 (case ref 112236) concerning Veoo Ltd.’s failure to meet its Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Obligations as a Level 1 provider
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the provision of premium rate services by Veoo for a period of two years; and a mutually agreed compliance audit, which must be completed prior to Veoo’s recommencement of the provision of premium rate services.
Date sanction imposed
04/09/2019
Date prohibition expires
4 Sep 2021 or until compliance audit completed to the satisfaction of the PSA, whichever is later.

Reason for sanction
Sanction imposed by the Tribunal of 28 October 2019 (case reference 152913) concerning the operation of a subscription alert service operating under the brand name ‘Lotto Alerts’ on shortcode 85088 costing £4.50 per message with up to two messages received per month.
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of five years, starting from the date of publication of the Tribunal decision, or until payment of the fine and the administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
28/10/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal on 20 March 2018 (case reference: 118585)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing or having any involvement in any premium rate service for a period of 8 years from the date of the Tribunal decision or until payment of the fine and administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
12/09/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal on 20 March 2018 (case reference: 111863)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing or having any involvement in any premium rate service for a period of 8 years from the date of the Tribunal decision or until payment of the fine and administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
12/02/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with

Reason for sanction
Non-payment of financial sanctions and administrative charges imposed by an earlier Tribunal on 20 March 2018 (case reference:  118842)
Details of sanction imposed
A prohibition on the Level 2 provider from providing or having any involvement in any premium rate service for a period of 8 years from the date of the Tribunal decision or until payment of the fine and administrative charges, whichever is the later.
Date sanction imposed
12/02/2019
Date prohibition expires
n/a - sanctions not complied with