Thanks to Ward Officer [Nith] Chris Woodness who has been in touch to let everyone know these details of a free ‘blocking device’ which is available to vulnerable residents of Dumfries & Galloway from the Trading Standards Team:
“Trading Standards are in a position to install a TrueCall, call blocking device free of charge for vulnerable residents of Dumfries & Galloway. To allow the device to operate successfully, caller id must be in operation. Some service providers will provide this free of charge at least for an initial period, however sometimes there can be a small charge which must be covered by the householder.
The resident is required to provide Trading Standards with a list of “trusted callers”. We input this detail into the unit, which in turn allows calls from these numbers to by-pass the unit. If the number is not on the list of “trusted callers” the number will not get through. Calls from these numbers are monitored and used as intelligence by Trading Standards.
The benefits of having a TrueCall unit installed have:
Prevented loss of money, sometimes life savings, to scammers
Allowed people to remain living in their own homes for longer (saving the cost of residential care)
Reduction in police time recording and investigating scams
People who lose their money to scams will rely on public services more
Reduction in risk of trips and falls and distraction accidents (as the phone rings much less often)”
Shona Beattie, Principal Trading Standards Officer at D&G Council suggests that, “If you know of anyone who you think may experience a large number of nuisance calls and could benefit from having a unit installed, you could either give them my details or pass on their details to me and we will make contact with them, or if more appropriate a family member or carer. We are also happy to speak to other organisations who may be interested or know of a vulnerable person who may benefit.”
Contact details:
Shona Beattie
Principal Trading Standards Officer
Trading Standards
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Municipal Chambers, 75 Buccleuch Street, Dumfries, DG1 2AD
01387 245 918
Fax: 01387 245 972
Email: shona.beattie@dumgal.gov.uk
(and:
Chris M Woodness
Ward Officer [Nith]
Communities Directorate
Dumfries & Galloway Council,
Georgetown Library, Gilbrae Road, Dumfries, DG14EJ
01387 256 059
Mobile 07799 342 222