THOUSANDS in the TR postcode area are plagued by cold callers, new figures have revealed.
Communication regulator Ofcom estimates that as many as 16,474 people find themselves on the end of nuisance calls.
And now the largest call-blocking pilot ever to be undertaken in the UK has revealed the extent that such calls are having on the people's health and wellbeing, particularly more vulnerable residents.
During the two-month pilot study over 700 participants, most of whom were elderly, installed a CPR Call Blocker device to manage and block unwanted calls.
Three quarters of those who signed up to the study found sales and survey calls to be a nuisance, with a quarter actually feeling angered or frightened by them.
The research also revealed that despite being registered on the Telephone Preference Service - the recommended industry practice for avoiding nuisance calls - 80 per cent of those involved were still receiving as many as six unwanted calls per day, with the most frequent relating to PPI claims, personal injury or simply silent calls.
New legislation, which was unveiled last week, could see those responsible for nuisance calls on the receiving end of large fines by industry regulators.
Participants in the study were provided with a CPR Call Blocker, a device which is pre-programmed to block 200 known nuisance callers identified by The Call Prevention Registry.
Once installed, if the user receives a phone call that they consider unwanted or a nuisance, they simply press a button to 'block the call', preventing the caller from ringing the same house phone number again.
After using the call blocking device for eight weeks, instances of 'scam' calls were reduced to less than one per cent and 90 per cent of the users said they felt in total control of their home phone for the first time.
The stress associated with handling nuisance calls was also tackled, with a 79 per cent reduction in anger, fear and annoyance associated with nuisance calls.
Additionally, there was a dramatic 91 per cent increase in those who felt no emotion in regards to calls.
Lee Hare, from CPR Call Blocker, said: "Many scam callers target people over the age of 55 and targeted victims are much more likely to lose their independent living, have stress related issues or mental health problems.
"Recent Ofcom research revealed that over 80 per cent of nuisance calls are seen as annoying, while those after 8pm are seen as most distressing."
Communication regulator Ofcom estimates that as many as 16,474 people find themselves on the end of nuisance calls.
And now the largest call-blocking pilot ever to be undertaken in the UK has revealed the extent that such calls are having on the people's health and wellbeing, particularly more vulnerable residents.
During the two-month pilot study over 700 participants, most of whom were elderly, installed a CPR Call Blocker device to manage and block unwanted calls.
Three quarters of those who signed up to the study found sales and survey calls to be a nuisance, with a quarter actually feeling angered or frightened by them.
The research also revealed that despite being registered on the Telephone Preference Service - the recommended industry practice for avoiding nuisance calls - 80 per cent of those involved were still receiving as many as six unwanted calls per day, with the most frequent relating to PPI claims, personal injury or simply silent calls.
New legislation, which was unveiled last week, could see those responsible for nuisance calls on the receiving end of large fines by industry regulators.
Participants in the study were provided with a CPR Call Blocker, a device which is pre-programmed to block 200 known nuisance callers identified by The Call Prevention Registry.
Once installed, if the user receives a phone call that they consider unwanted or a nuisance, they simply press a button to 'block the call', preventing the caller from ringing the same house phone number again.
After using the call blocking device for eight weeks, instances of 'scam' calls were reduced to less than one per cent and 90 per cent of the users said they felt in total control of their home phone for the first time.
The stress associated with handling nuisance calls was also tackled, with a 79 per cent reduction in anger, fear and annoyance associated with nuisance calls.
Additionally, there was a dramatic 91 per cent increase in those who felt no emotion in regards to calls.
Lee Hare, from CPR Call Blocker, said: "Many scam callers target people over the age of 55 and targeted victims are much more likely to lose their independent living, have stress related issues or mental health problems.
"Recent Ofcom research revealed that over 80 per cent of nuisance calls are seen as annoying, while those after 8pm are seen as most distressing."
http://www.westbriton.co.uk/8203-Thousands-living-TR-postcode-area-pestered/story-26134444-detail/story.html#ixzz3TsuchSFV
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