Tips on hanging up on nuisance calls

CAB launch campaign to stop phone pests

Airdrie citizens’ advice bureau (CAB) has launched a campaign to help residents avoid and report nuisance phone calls.

Staff will be out and about in the town during the coming weeks, highlighting steps which householders can take to reduce and even cut out the unwanted disturbances.

Airdrie CAB manager Aaliya Seyal said: “Part of our role is to protect people’s rights as consumers – and one of those is that you don’t need to put up with calls that you don’t want.

“Nuisance calls are far too common and affect huge numbers of people. They include any kind of unwanted sales or marketing call.

“People find these irritating or even distressing, but our message is that you really can fight back as there are actions you can take to block unwanted calls for good.”

Bureaux across Scotland have joined forces with consumer organisation Which? to highlight a set of tips to tackle nuisance calls.

They include registering with the Telephone Preference Service, going ex- directory, reporting nuisance calls and spam texts, opting out of marketing calls and considering call-blocking devices or using phone company services which can reduce the calls.

CAB staff say: “Research shows that Scots receive more nuisance calls than any other part of Europe, and that nine out of 10 Scottish households received an unwanted call within a one-month period.”

Full advice on the nuisance call campaign is available at www. citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/ consumer/ phone- internetdownloadsor- tv/ stop- gettingnuisance-calls-and-texts.

Aaliya added: “We want to make sure that people in Airdrie are among the first to take action and will be out in the town over the next few weeks passing on the simple steps people can take.

“We urge local people to take action to block unwanted calls for good and then to pass the information on to anyone they know who might benefit from it – particularly elderly or isolated people who may be more vulnerable to them.” Meanwhile, the Airdrie bureau – based on Anderson Street – is recruiting new volunteers for its 11-week adviser training programme, beginning on October 3.

Training consists of tutorial sessions, online learning and practical work; recruits must be over 18 years old and prepared to commit seven hours per week for a minimum of six months on completion of the programme.

Bureau officials said: “Training to be an adviser will suit those who enjoy working with people and are looking for a new challenge, and may particularly suit those who may have recently retired or are thinking of returning to the job market.”

For further information and a recruitment pack, call 01236 754109.

You can fight back as there are actions you can take to block unwanted calls