There have been a number of scams circulating in recent times from people pretending to be the NHS and asking people to order a Covid test to Revolut customers being warned that scammers are sending 'convincing texts' pretending a payment has been scheduled.
At the beginning of last month, we reported that experts issued a warning amid a scam that has been on the go for the last year targeting people who are in need of financial help - many of which have seen hundreds if not thousand being drained from their banks.
And now Trading Standards have issued a reminder to people that they can recieve a free call blocking SIM card to individuals who are most at risk.
READ MORE: Discontinued crisps make return after 14 years as people rush to 'stock up'
Taking to Twitter they said: "Following an increase in the number of scam calls being received on mobile phones, we're offering free call blocking SIM cards to vulnerable individuals who are most at risk from scammers and rogue traders."
Taking to their website, Trading Standards have said that people can now get the free SIM card in a bid to reduce - and avoid - cases of people becoming victim to a scam which are becoming more convincing.
The Scottish Government provided funding to procure 100 Mobile Safe SIM cards in May of this year with more available.
They explain: "The dissemination of the SIM cards supports the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Scams Prevention, Awareness and Enforcement Strategy which seeks to ensure that Scotland is a place consumers can feel safe against scams whilst ensuring they can access advice and support if required."
The offer comes as a report by Ofcom revealed in October 2021 more people are now receiving scam calls on their mobiles compared to their landlines with 43 per cent of mobile users having received a suspicious call on their phones in the last three months compared with 39 per cent of landline users.
They continued: "trueCall call blocking technology is currently used across the UK and now been developed and tested for the mobile market. The Mobile Safe SIM cards have been proven to work effectively in multiple trials across the country by police forces, trading standards teams and charities and show the same high levels of protection and disruption as the landline call blocker with over 95% of unwanted calls being blocked.
"SIM cards available through the project will give the user two years of protected mobile phone service, providing unlimited calls, unlimited texts and 2GB of data per month. The most common types of scam call being blocked by call blocking units in 2021 were related to green deal funding, with the majority of calls relating to surveys about home insulation and the apparent availability of government grants for energy efficient improvements.
"Other common scam calls involved misleading sales of insurance for white goods, appliances or SKY equipment and attempts to sell cover for domestic home repairs.
"The aim of the majority of scam and nuisance calls is to obtain people’s personal data and to encourage them to give the caller their bank details. This is often achieved by implying that urgent action is required – a tactic which particularly targets more vulnerable people."
Fiona Richardson, Chief Officer of Trading Standards Scotland said: “Scammers and unscrupulous businesses are taking advantage of the cost of living crisis to target people with an increasing variety of phone scams. We have seen many new scams emerge over the last three years and, as more Scottish consumers face challenging circumstances, the risk from scammers is even higher.
“Although we are all susceptible to being scammed, people with cognitive impairment such as dementia, mobility issues, mental health issues and those on the autism spectrum are most at risk. Not only does it cause financial detriment; it erodes their self-esteem and self-belief and can cause significant levels of stress and anxiety. By blocking scam calls we can give vulnerable people confidence and peace of mind and help them to continue to live independently for as long as possible.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about the SIM cards or to apply for a Mobile Safe SIM through the Trading Standards Scotland project should visit the Mobile Safe website here.
READ NEXT:
Sign in throat identified as new symptom of long Covid - all 23 symptoms so far
Edinburgh weather as heatwave set to return this week with temperatures over 25C
Mum slammed for strict new baby rules for her husband's friends
Spain warning to Brits renting cars abroad over driving rule with 600 euro fine
Ofgem issues urgent warning ahead of energy price cap increase
