If you require any advice or have any information you would like to report you can call us on 0141 951 7957 or email us.

National Consumer Week

WDC Trading Standards are taking part in National Consumer Week to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities when buying from online marketplaces. Did you know your consumer rights are different when you’re buying goods online? Watch the video to learn more!

Trading Standards give advice on taking control of your phone.

A nuisance phone call is any unwelcome call that you receive in your home - in the UK people receive over 3 billion nuisance phone calls each year. Call centre technology is reducing the cost of making telemarketing calls, and as the costs go down, the number of these calls increases. It is for this reason that Trading Standards in West Dunbartonshire are currently giving advice on how to deal with cold callers over the phone.

There are many ways in which you can help to reduce the chance of you or your family falling for a phone scam or unknowingly attracting the attention of a malicious caller. Not only can you take steps such as registering with the telephone preference service you can now also install call blocking technology to successfully reduce these types of calls.

West Dunbartonshire Trading Standards recently trialled a call-blocking system with a vulnerable resident who was previously subjected to numerous calls each week regarding anything from PPI reclaim calls to offers of new kitchens and double glazing.  She has told Trading Standards "Before having this system fitted I was receiving calls every day. I have mobility issues and was constantly struggling to get to the phone to answer calls thinking it was a member of my family or a friend only for it to be yet another automated message or sales call.  With this system fitted I only answer calls that I want to and I don't have to rush to get to the phone as the system picks them up for me".

Since the call blocker was installed three months ago it has recorded that 58% of all calls received hung up during the call blocker screening process, 15% of callers left a message or hung up after hearing the answering machine recording and only 27% calls were actually connected to the resident after the call blocker screening process. 

Kirsten Halliday from Trading Standards said "This type of system can make a great difference to vulnerable people who are often targeted with unwanted nuisance and marketing calls.  Many become victims of identity theft or scams which result in significant financial loss and can have a serious impact on the victim's health and welfare".

Kirsten urged residents to visit the Ofcom website www.ofcom.org.uk to assist in reducing the number of calls received and also provided some tips for dealing with nuisance calls

  • Register with the telephone preference service www.tpsonline.org.uk (FREE  service)
  • Check if there are any call blocking facilities available from your phone provider
  • Consider installing a call blocking device
  • If registered with the telephone preference service and you are still receiving calls from businesses who you have previously informed you are on the telephone preference service, you can complain to TPS on 0207 291 3320 (Note that marketing calls are allowed unless you have advised the business previously to remove you from list and that you are on TPS)
  • If you are interested in purchasing a call blocking device do some research into the products on the market and select the most suitable product for your needs.  There are various systems and options available. 

Free Trial Offer!

West Dunbartonshire Trading Standards have a small number of call-blocking units available to trial and are looking to provide these to the most vulnerable residents, who in particular have been greatly affected by nuisance calls or are dealing with the challenge of dementia. If you or someone you know could benefit from an opportunity to trial the system, please call us on 0141 951 7957 for further information.