Elderly and vulnerable to get nuisance call-blockers in £500k Government scheme

By Sam Lister6th April 2017News EnglandDementia, Government / Politics, News England, Older People, Vulnerable Adults

Nuisance callers who target the elderly will be blocked by a new device installed in the homes of the most vulnerable, Theresa May has announced.

Doctors, trading standards officials and local councils will identify people most at risk, particularly those with dementia, under the £500,000 scheme, the Prime Minister said.

The trueCall devices will stop all recorded messages, silent calls and calls from numbers that have not been listed by the home-owner.

Mrs May said: “We want to create a fairer society by cracking down on unscrupulous practices which target the most vulnerable.

“This new, targeted scheme is the latest step in the Government’s fight against nuisance calls, protecting those who are most at risk, including those with dementia.

“We have seen people tricked out of thousands of pounds by scam callers and this Government is determined to clamp down on their activities once and for all.”

Rogue traders and scam callers have bombarded the elderly and vulnerable with nuisance phone calls in recent years.

The move follows the trial of a similar scheme run by the National Trading Standards scams team last year which helped 93% of participants feel safer in their homes, including one person who had previously paid £150,000 to a scam caller.

Hilda Hayo, chief executive of Dementia UK, said: “We welcome this project as some people living with dementia are vulnerable to nuisance callers who offer bogus services and financial schemes.

“These calls can not only have a negative financial impact but can also lead to psychological affects such as anxiety, depression and a loss of self-esteem.

“We frequently receive calls to our national helpline from family members who are concerned that their relative with dementia has fallen prey to rogue traders.”

The devices will screen calls and can either ask callers to enter a security code or direct them to call a friend or relative of the home owner.

Lord Toby Harris, chairman of National Trading Standards, said: “The impact of nuisance calls – both emotional and financial – cannot be under-estimated.

“We know that these call-blockers can make a real difference to people’s lives and give those in vulnerable situations, such as those with dementia, and their families a greater sense of protection and security.”