More than one million nuisance or scam calls have been blocked in East Renfrewshire thanks to the installation of call blockers which stop over 95 per cent of suspect calls.
A total of 1,033 trueCall units have been installed by the council since 2012, which aim to protect older and vulnerable residents from nuisance and scam phone calls.
An incredible 1,001,026 nuisance and scam phone calls have been blocked to date, with trueCall estimating from national data that an average scam could cost the householder £2,952.
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The roll out of trueCall units is expected to have saved vulnerable households approximately £6million with an estimated 2,033 scams prevented, as well as avoiding anxiety and frustration.
Councillor Owen O’Donnell, leader of East Renfrewshire Council and convener for Environment, said: “Scams are on the rise and fraudsters’ attempts to cause financial loss have become more sophisticated over recent years, so it’s great to see that our Trading Standards team has reached this key milestone in our attempts to put a stop to financial harm.
“We’re absolutely committed to protecting our most vulnerable residents and the work of the team has enabled many elderly residents to remain independent, free from the devastating effects of scams and the scourge of unwanted calls.
“I would urge residents most at risk to contact the team to access the simple practical solutions to avoid being scammed.
“We also have a comprehensive financial harm prevention toolkit available online.
“The key message is that prevention is better than cure”.
A local resident who spoke highly of the work of the team, added: “The help from the Trading Standards team, in stopping my mother being scammed, allowed her to continue living independently. We thought we had no option but to put her in a care home”.
If you or a family member are receiving high numbers of nuisance calls, visit our website eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/call-blockers, phone 0141 577 8487 or email tradingstandards@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk to apply for a free call blocker or doorstep camera and discuss the range of bespoke support available.
Depending on circumstances the unit may be installed free of charge.
Visit eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/prevention to read the council’s self-help financial harm toolkit for advice on how to stay safe and avoid scams.
It includes a scams risk checklist individuals can complete to safeguard themselves or someone they care about, as well as useful information on many areas including doorstep crime, living with dementia and scams and financial abuse.
Residents can say no to uninvited doorstep callers by picking up a “No cold calling” sticker and displaying it on their door. Stickers are available to pick up in council buildings at Eastwood HQ or Barrhead.
The council is also looking for volunteers to circulate these stickers to households. Anyone who is able to help deliver to local streets should phone 0141 577 8487 or email tradingstandards@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
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