Call blocking technology has saved East Renfrewshire residents millions of pounds by thwarting fraudsters, a new report shows.

Since 2012, East Renfrewshire Council’s trading standards team has installed almost 1,000 trueCall devices at local homes to protect older and vulnerable residents.

Research has found that, on average, ‘high risk’ residents receive 30 scam phone calls per month, accounting for more than a third of all calls received.

Council chiefs have said that, over the past nine years, almost 900,000 nuisance calls have been blocked at East Renfrewshire homes thanks to the trueCall devices, with some 1,000 scams prevented.

This is believed to have saved vulnerable households around £3.6million.

Councillor Alan Lafferty, East Renfrewshire’s environment convener, said: “I’m delighted that our trading standards team continues to lead the way in helping to protect our residents from scams.

“Call blocking technology is especially beneficial to our older and most vulnerable residents who may be receiving high numbers of unwanted calls or have been a victim of a scam, so it’s great that these intelligent devices have been able to block so many calls since being introduced in East Renfrewshire.

“Call blockers are provided free of charge on an indefinite loan and can help people continue to live independently at home, whilst easing family members and friends’ concerns.”

The devices, which block 99% of suspect calls, are part of a Confidence at Home package offered by the council to protect residents from predatory fraudsters.

Anyone who would like to apply for a free call blocker and discuss the other support available, either for themselves or a vulnerable relative, can call 0141 577 8487.

The council also has an online ‘financial harm toolkit’ that offers advice on how to avoid scams.

It can be viewed at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/prevention.