Cardiff Council’s Trading Standards team is warning local consumers to avoid being taken in by the latest telephone scam that could be costly and upsetting.
The scam involves consumers getting a call from someone claiming to want to help them stop unwanted calls by paying a three-year subscription of £47.76 to a bogus ‘telephone preference service.’
Cardiff Council’s head of Regulatory and Supporting Services, Dave Holland, said: “This is a calculated and heartless scam to obtain financial information, and could be especially distressing for older people. The scam has nothing to do with the official Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which is free of charge for consumers and registers your number to stop unsolicited calls.”
The TPS website carries warnings about the scam.
When dealing with cold callers, consumers are advised that they should always ensure that if they have a problem with any goods or services, they can contact the trader again. Consumers should never deal with anyone on the basis of only a telephone or mobile phone number to contact them and never give their bank details to a stranger.
To register with the real Telephone Preference Service, visit their website: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 070 0707.
Consumers can also check with their telephone company if it offers a number-blocking service: it should be able to block withheld UK numbers.
