Avon and Somerset PCC supports consultation on cold call banning
It's hoped the move will save people across the Westcountry millions of pounds a year
It's hoped a ban on scam calls will help stamp out the millions of pounds lost every year to the fraud here in the Westcountry and across the UK.
Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner - Mark Shelford - says he's welcoming the Government's plans.
An eight-week consultation's been launched, in what's been called marking the next step to deliver the national Fraud Strategy.
The consultation covers proposals to ban cold calls offering any financial products to clamp down on fraudsters seeking to trick people into buying investments.
Once the plans are in force, people who receive a cold call offering these types of products will know that it is a scam.
It's hoped that will mean there will be fewer people will become victims, as a result.
Data from the City of London Police has revealed people lost £750 million between 2022 and 2023 from fraudulent investment schemes - something which is hoped to become a thing of the past, when the new rules come into place.
The consultation paper is looking at how best to design and implement this ban to prevent scam calls from reaching the public, while allowing legitimate and beneficial communications from businesses to continue as before.
In addition to the national consultation, a specialist team that provides support to victims of fraud – known as the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit – has been rolled out to all 43 police forces across England and Wales since the Fraud Strategy was announced.
Last year, its teams supported more than 113,000 victims.
The rollout of the NECVCU to all forces, including Avon and Somerset Police, will ensure more people receive the help and support they need.
In Avon and Somerset, this support is in addition to the policing service’s dedicated fraud and cyber protect teams who are committed to supporting victims of fraud and educating people and businesses to help them prevent becoming victims in the first place.
PCC Mark Shelford said: “Cold calling for financial services and products is just one of many tricks that fraudsters have up their sleeves. If cold calling for such services is banned, people can be sure it is not a legitimate offer and, in turn, we can stop more people becoming victims.
“Scammers purposely target the most vulnerable in our communities, which doesn’t just lead to financial loss but also impacts people’s mental health. I very much welcome this step forward to block fraud at the source and look forward to the outcome of the consultation.”