Residents are being urged not to ‘fall for the call’ in East Dunbartonshire.
Trading Standards officers have been made aware of scammers phoning people within the local area – claiming to be from the Council's Housing Department.
Residents may be called regarding supposedly urgent issues like repairs or dampness in the home.
Please do not fall for these tactics – always confirm the legitimacy of such calls by contacting your local housing department by phoning 0300 123 4510.
The Council’s Trading Standards service is urging residents pestered by nuisance calls to follow guidance from Ofcom – the regulator for communications services:
- Don’t give out your telephone number unnecessarily. When signing contracts, make sure you indicate that you don’t want to be contacted with promotional materials, etc
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service by calling 08450 700707 or visiting www.tpsonline.org.uk (please note, this will reduce calls, but not stop them all)
- Go ex-directory
- Check call blocking facilities available from your telephone provider
- Consider buying a call blocker device
- Marketing calls are allowed, but not if you tell the business you don’t want to receive them or you are registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) – you can complain to TPS on 08450 700707
- If you receive silent or abandoned calls, contact Ofcom on 0300 123 3333.
If you receive any suspicious calls or have concerns, please do not give out personal information or payment details.
Ensure your safety and protect your community by staying vigilant. Bogus callers may claim to be from an official organisation, such as the Council, or they may say you are entitled to free financial support.
“If the Council gets in touch – for example recent letters/emails on electrical safety testing – it will be from an official source with proper contact details. Scammers often try to pressure people into making a mistake.
“Don't be afraid to hang up the phone immediately and never allow anyone you're not expecting into your home or to carry out work.”
For more information/advice, call Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510 or visit our consumer-advice webpage.
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