Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar is urging his constituents to take a stand against scams and nuisance calls by signing up for free ‘call blockers’.
The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team has today opened the next phase of its free call blockers to the general public, following it’s successful programme last October.
A call blocker is a unit that filters unwanted scam or nuisance phone calls from your landline. The call blocker checks the caller's number. If it is a trusted caller then it allows the phone to ring as normal. If the caller isn’t recognised, then the call blocker acts as a personal assistant by intercepting the call and asking the caller to identify themselves. This process blocks unwanted calls without the phone ever ringing.
If you want even more protection, the call blocker can completely block calls from unrecognised callers with an automated message asking them to hang up and call a nominated person if their call is important. The unit plugs into an existing phone and phone line, it can work alongside broadband and/or lifeline/pendant devices that are already installed.
Darren, who is a Friends Against Scams Scambassador, said:
“In October last year, approximately 2,000 call blockers were provided on a first come, first served basis by the NTS Scams Team. The programme proved so successful that it is now being extended to help even more victims benefit from call blocking technology.
“Too many vulnerable people in Wales are falling victim to scams on a daily basis, many of them on the telephone. As well as robbing elderly and vulnerable people of their lifesavings, scams can cause considerable distress and severely limit someone’s quality of life.
“The call blockers help prevent this from happening and I therefore urge my constituents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, who regularly receive nuisance calls to get one”.
The devices are being provided for free in a scheme funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Consumers can apply for a free call blocking unit via the Friends Against Scams website where they will be required to complete a short survey. Applications can also be made by partners and stakeholders on behalf of an individual via the same mechanism (once consent has been obtained). To make and application, please visit: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/callblocker
