Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards team is asking anyone needing free call blockers to get in touch, while devices are still available.
So far, the nationally funded project has enabled the Council to obtain and install 90 free call blockers in Shetland households in recent months. These call blocker units block over 90% of scam and nuisance calls at source so the phone won’t even ring, giving folk time back in their day and preventing the anxiety and worry associated with these calls coming through. The unit plugs into an existing phone line and can work alongside broadband and any other installed devices, such as care alarms.
David Marsh, Team Leader – Trading Standards, says: “We are delighted to have secured so many call blockers for Shetland households in the last three months, which is simply the result of people getting in touch with us to nominate themselves or someone they look after or support. These units are now working quietly and almost unnoticed in the background to protect folk from scammers.
“Research carried out by Bournemouth University found that older people, those who feel vulnerable, and individuals who live alone are most likely to benefit from the installation of a call blocker. We anticipate that the current supply of free units will run out in the next few weeks, so we’re still keen to hear as soon as possible from anyone who is troubled by persistent scam or nuisance calls so that we can get this valuable protection in place for you or someone close to you.”
To request a free call blocker from Trading Standards, email the team at trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or phone on 01595 744887.
Notes for editors
- The call blocking units available are trueCall Secure+ that filters unwanted scam and nuisance phone calls to prevent them from reaching a landline phone.
- The National Trading Standards Scams Team Call Blocker Project 2019-20 (PDF) concluded that “call blockers are an effective way to prevent scam and nuisance calls and help protect members of the public who receive scam calls. Most importantly, it is evident that installing a unit is an effective way to improve wellbeing and build consumer confidence.”
- Bournemouth University (National Centre of Post-Qualifying Social Work) conducted research (PDF) on wellbeing that concluded that “Older people, those who self-identify as vulnerable, and individuals who live alone are most likely to benefit from the installation of a call blocker….”