City’s bogus callers to be showndoor
A MAJOR campaign is helping prevent city residents fall victim to unscrupulous scammers, hackers and bogus callers.
City council trading standards officers have been working with a wide range of agencies to alert people to the problem.
Thousands of No Cold Calling stickers have been handed out to deter unsolicited callers claiming to be touting for business.
Call blocking units have been supplied free of charge to vulnerable people who have been harassed by large numbers of nuisance calls to their homes.
These allow family and friends to make contact but block international and unknown callers from disturbing the resident.
Trading standards officers and the police carry out regular days of action, patrolling areas known to be targeted by bogus tradesman.
Recently, more than 300 Scotstoun homes were visited, given No Cold Calling stickers and advice about how to get rid of bogus callers.
Scam and bogus caller posters have been displayed in all 26 community centres and libraries run by Glasgow Life.
These highlight the dangers of scams from lotteries to nutritional supplements and give advice where to obtain help and advice.
Staff have visited over 100 residents in the past year after they were identified as the victims of scam mail.
Some were referred to social work after concerns were raised about their health and wellbeing.
Bank staff, who are often the first point of contact for people who have been encouraged by bogus callers to withdraw large sums of money, have been trained to deal with customers who would not normally withdraw so much cash.
They will contact relatives where appropriate or trading standards and police if they believe the customer is at risk.
Information days have been held i n city shopping centres and visits have been made to city hospitals.
Trading standards officers and the police have also visited DIY stores to advise and educate visitors over 60 who are carrying out home improvements.
Elaine McDougall, the city council’s transport, environment and sustainability spokeswoman, said: “Cold calling and aggressive sales techniques are of particular concern to the council’s trading standards unit.
“The tactics these bogus callers use are appalling, in that they very often prey on some of the most vulnerable in our communities such as elderly people living alone.
“Our officers also engage with organisations who are in contact with vulnerable residents and provide advice and information to help them i dentify any clients who may be victims or mail and phone scams.”