TRAFFORD Trading Standards are urging residents to be on their guard against phone scammers offering to sell call-blocking equipment to supposedly reduce nuisance calls.

The caller offers the service for £1.99 a month for three years, then free afterwards. The scammer may even suggest that the intended victim has already paid for the service in the past.

A council spokesman said: “Generally these types of calls are to obtain your bank details. Giving this information could lead to unauthorised use of your bank card or identity theft.

“If you have given out this information you should contact your bank immediately.”

Trading Standards advice is to never do business over the phone with companies you do not know and who cold call you.

To reduce nuisance calls, residents can try the following approved methods:-

Register with the Telephone Preference Service via tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 0700707.

Set up call barring: Many cold calls come from abroad, so consider asking your provider to block calls from international numbers.

Screen calls: Use caller display or answer phone and only answer numbers you recognise.

Note numbers and report them to the Information Commissioner at ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.

Report scams to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.