Call blockers installed to protect most vulnerable
Call blockers have been installed for free in hundreds of people’s homes by Dudley Council’s scams unit to prevent them being targeted by scammers.
Often, it’s older or vulnerable people who are targeted by financial criminals. To prevent this, the call blockers are installed for just a few months in people’s homes to allow them to block numbers from suspicious callers by pressing a big red button.
They often dramatically reduce the number of scam calls being received by individuals long-term. The call blocker can then be removed and installed in another home.
Since the scams unit launched, it has installed call blockers in more than 240 homes.
The unit, with the support of the council’s dementia service, is now also installing a new type of call blocker in the homes of people with dementia or reduced cognitive capacity.
The new call blockers stop all calls other than those on an approved list – such as friends and family. They are designed to protect the most vulnerable people in the borough’s communities.
If anyone thinks they or someone they know could benefit from a call blocker being installed, they can contact the scams unit to discuss their options.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:
Since we launched the scams unit, being able to install call blockers in people’s homes has been one of the key preventative measures to help people avoid being a victim of a telephone scam.
The new advanced call blockers are designed to support the most vulnerable in our communities, those who could be easily confused by a persistent scammer on the other end of the line.
They may not suit everyone, but I’m pleased we are able to offer this new technology to our residents.
If anyone is concerned that they or someone they know may have fallen victim to scams, or would like to get in touch about a call blocker, they should contact the scams unit on 01384 818871 or via trading.standards@dudley.gov.uk