Free call blocking devices are being offered across Argyll and Bute in a new bid to stop scammers and rogue traders preying on the vulnerable.
The initiative by trading standards and Police Scotland follows an increase in phone scams since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the last 12 months 75 trueCall call blocking devices have been installed in the homes of victims of telephone fraud in Helensburgh, Ardentinny, Dunoon, Innellan, Oban and Mull.
It is estimated that these have blocked 116,951 calls and prevented at least 139 scams – the most common calls blocked were misleading sales of insurance for white goods, appliances or Sky equipment and attempts to sell cover for domestic home repairs.
PC Laura Evans, of Argyll and Dunbartonshire Policing Division, said: “The most common types of scams at the moment are telephone and internet scams, whereby the caller, or person emailing, pretends to be someone else for example someone from your bank, BT, Amazon or Sky.
“We have a large number of telephone frauds where the caller is told their bank has set up a new account for them and has asked them to transfer their money to this new account.
“Your bank will never ask you to do this and I would encourage people to simply hang up the telephone if you think you are being scammed, or if you are concerned about someone else receiving scam calls, then consider a call blocker device.”
Police say that as more people signed up to streaming services during lockdown, there was an increase in scam calls purportedly from Amazon Prime, where cold callers said that the recipient’s subscription was due for renewal or that their account had been hacked
Another type of nuisance call which emerged towards the end of 2020 was the sale of timeshares, possibly in response to widespread issues with travel and accommodation during the pandemic.
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said “Scammers are unscrupulous with the sole intention of identifying and exploiting the most vulnerable in our communities by obtaining people’s personal data and to encourage them to give the caller their bank details.
“This is often achieved by implying that urgent action is required – a tactic which particularly targets elderly and more vulnerable people.
“The trueCall call blocking unit can give our residents peace of mind, knowing that if the phone rings it will be someone they want to talk to.”
For more information on the initiative call 01546 605519 or email tradingstandards.office@argyll- bute.gov.uk
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