In the wake of a “Which?” report which showed that only 2% of British people report nuisance calls, Murdo Fraser MSP has called on residents in Mid-Scotland and Fife who are suffering with constant cold calls to report them in order to bring the industry under control.
The recent PPI scandal has seen the number of nuisance calls climb to record levels and many elderly and vulnerable residents are being targeted by unscrupulous companies.
Which? is urging government, regulators and businesses to renew their efforts in tackling the problem as they revealed that while complaints continue to rack up across Scotland, only one in 20 Scots who received the unwanted phone messages report it to the regulator.
Analysis of data from the regulator shows that since December there have been around 61,500 official complaints about nuisance calls and texts across Britain.
Commenting Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said;
“Nuisance calls are not just annoying but they can be particularly distressing for vulnerable and elderly constituents.
“I am urging people who experience nuisance calls in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire to do something about it and contact Ofcom with the details of the caller so they can help ensure these companies are brought under control.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between fraudsters and genuine callers. Telephone scammers are getting more and more sophisticated and the public, particularly elderly and vulnerable residents should be protected from these calls.
“The only way the Government can get the industry under control is if there is evidence of widespread mis-use, and that’s why the public need to get involved.”