Council / Warning as scammers target folk with community alarm or home link systems
Free call blocker available from the council’s trading standards
SHETLAND Islands Council is warning local residents to be on their guard against scam phone calls about community alarm or home link systems.
The potential scam came to light after a local client received the offer of a free community alarm with the caller saying they wanted to arrange to come out and set this up.
Lead occupational therapist with the council, Charlotte Weaver, said any contact about an alarm, or other telecare support system, provided as part of a care at home package would come through the community health and social care service.
She said: “If you are unsure about any communication regarding community alarms, you can contact the community occupational therapy team on 01595 744319 to check whether or not it was from us.”
Trading standards team leader David Marsh said scam calls continue to be a nuisance for folk, adding that there was the “ever-present danger that one of these criminals may hit upon just the right topic to defraud another victim”.
He added: “The best defence against them is a call blocker unit, which plugs into an existing phone line and can work alongside broadband and any other installed devices such as care alarms.
“Thanks to national funding, we can put this valuable protection in place for you or someone close to you.”
To request a free call blocker phone trading standards on 01595 744887 or email trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk
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