Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an what assessment of the effect of availability of personal data via online telephone directory services on risk of scamming to vulnerable and older people.

The Government recognises that fraudsters will use any means they can to trick people into handing over their hard-earned money. We recognise these crimes can have significant and devastating impacts on people’s lives, particularly the most vulnerable in society.

We have sanctioned the banning of cold calls from personal injury firms and pension providers, unless the consumer has explicitly agreed to be contacted and introduced director liability for companies in relation to nuisance calls.

Through the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) we have imposed strict obligations on organisations that make direct marketing calls, live or automated, to individuals in the UK. We would advise people to register with the free Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which is a “do not call” register for landlines and mobile numbers. TPS reduces the number of unwanted sales and marketing calls you receive. To register call 0345 070 0707 or visit https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/.

We have supported the National Trading Standards Scams Team to roll out call blocking devices to vulnerable people. DCMS have provided over £1 million in the last three years to National Trading Standards for distribution of call blocking devices to vulnerable people. This funding has helped to protect some of the most vulnerable in society from nuisance calls and scams.

Tackling fraud requires a unified and co-ordinated response from government, law enforcement and the private sector to better protect the public and businesses from fraud, reduce the impact of fraud on victims, and increase the disruption and prosecution of fraudsters which is why, later this year, we will publish a new strategy to address the threat of fraud.