What’s being done in Scotland to reduce nuisance calls?

Hello wavechange, thanks for your response. Good to point this out, and I am happy to explain. We have been working with TrueCall, as one of the major call blocking technology suppliers in the UK to analyse the data they receive from their call blockers. They did a really interesting pilot scheme in Scotland in 2015 where they worked with local authorities and trading standards to install boxes into people’s homes, and have been collecting information about the call volumes and the call types they receive. They also have a good spread of boxes installed right across the UK. For us, this is really valuable information so that we can see the extent of the nuisance calls problem and highlight this to decision-makers. As you know, Which? doesn’t accept money from businesses – we like to maintain our editorial independence, so it is merely a partnership of sharing information.

Thanks for this information, Eva. I was not aware that local authorities and Trading Standards were working on the problem of nuisance calls.

My suggestion is that call blocking is provided at the exchange so that it can be updated as necessary and users able to select whichever options best suit their needs. Service providers already offer a variety of on-demand facilities to their customers. BT Call Minder is one example. Individual call blockers have demonstrated what is possible but it is not very efficient to have large numbers of customers install devices that will become outdated.

Truecall looks like British innovation launched on the “Dragon,s Den” by Peter Jones , it is not just a normal call-blocker but has a yearly prescription for call screening . i have had a CPR call-blocker for two years and i am happy with it , I don’t have a problem with Which advertising products for financial assistance or not as ,to me that is the modern way society is run in this country and the US , but there again I am not a member so I don’t count .I can see why it might aggrieve members but its up to them as to any position to take , I know now about the charitable status but there are plenty of those now “taking the money” in the UK without a blush in the charitable business so if you are going to criticise Which there is a long line of others in the running particularly the ones related to old-age . I am sorry Which I don’t have the same confidence as you in an outcome that will remarkably affect the amount of sales calls in Scotland so long as Westminster holds the power and Law on telecommunications , as I have said can you see Westminster saying to BT (Scotland ) yes block all those calls –for free but stopping English consumers doing the same ?-Wat Tyler would be rising in his grave and just think of voting time. Consider that Whitehall has just said to the FM you know where you can stick your statement to influence Brexit , judges or no judges. By the way CPR call-blocker has UK government backing as well as UK police malcolm they have a UK base .

CPR is on the list of companies to not do business with, as published by TPS.

Hi malcomr, thanks for your interest. The Commission was convened by the Scottish Government, so they hold the reigns on the publishing of what was discussed. The Commission will meet three times over the next couple of months, and has committed to producing an Action Plan afterwards. It does feel like we’ve been discussing this a long time, but we have found that there is definitely no magic bullet to solving this problem! We need everyone on board, and on the same page. On your question of TrueCall, see my answer above to wavechange about why we worked with TrueCall. They are not the only call blocker on the market, and we have looked at and put others through the same lab assessments. From a policy and editorial perspective, though, the unique thing about TrueCall is that they capture information about call volumes and call types to the boxes they install, which enable a much closer look at the extent of the problem.

@eva-groeneveld, thanks Eva. As a participant in the discussions could you ask the Scottish Government to provide a summary of, or a link to, the proceedings?

Claims that “CPR” is “backed by the police” may be “misleading” or “deceptive”.

It appears that organisations can pay the police to evaluate whether a product or service they provide complies with the law and then use the scheme’s logo on their product.

To make any sort of claim about the police endorsing the functionality or usefulness of the product may appear to be going much further than the scheme intends.

An initiative – SBD, or Secured by Design – was started by the police to certify products that gave particular levels of enhanced security – door locks and windows I think were early contenders. CPR and Truecall seem to be included. Details at http://www.securedbydesign.com/about-secured-by-design/

We will certainly make the case! I am sure Which? will make sure that when something is published, we will let our supporters know

Such a ban would have a partial effect [so long as it is enforceable], but a lot of nuisance calls are outside and beyond any UK regulatory authority so we also need an answer to that problem.

Any such ban on use of the telephone for marketing purposes would also cover the use of leads by UK companies that were generated by marketing calls made from abroad.

It would also stop UK companies from employing overseas agents to make marketing calls in the first place.