Financial fraud over the phone is one of the most damaging and distressing crimes affecting UK households today. Criminals often pose as banks, HMRC, or trusted organisations to trick victims into sharing personal or financial information.
Fortunately, landline call blockers can dramatically reduce these risks—stopping most fraudulent calls before they even reach your ears.
How Does Financial Fraud Happen Over the Phone?
Scammers use convincing tactics to build trust, urgency, or fear. Common examples include:
- “Bank fraud alert” scams: Callers pretend to be from your bank’s security team.
- HMRC or tax refund scams: Threaten arrest or promise a refund to collect card details.
- Investment and pension fraud: Offer fake schemes promising high returns.
- Tech support scams: Claim your computer or Wi-Fi is infected.
According to Action Fraud, UK victims lost over £1.3 billion to phone scams and investment fraud in 2024 alone.
Summary: Phone scammers use authority and fear to manipulate victims into sharing financial information or transferring money.
Why Landlines Are Still a Target for Scammers
Although many scams now happen online, landlines remain a prime target—especially for older adults or those less comfortable with technology.
Scammers prefer landlines because:
- Caller ID can be spoofed to appear local or official.
- Landlines often reach vulnerable users directly.
- There’s less digital trace than online scams.
Summary: Landlines are targeted because they provide direct, personal access to victims—especially seniors.
How Do Landline Call Blockers Prevent Financial Fraud?
A landline call blocker acts as a security filter for your phone line. Devices like CPR Call Blocker V100K and V5000 use preloaded scam databases and smart filtering to stop fraudulent calls.
They can:
- Automatically block known scam numbers from reaching you.
- Filter out withheld or international numbers often used by fraudsters.
- Allow only trusted contacts through whitelist features.
- Enable one-touch blocking of suspicious calls.
- Reduce stress for vulnerable users who may otherwise answer every call.
Many users report a 90–95% reduction in scam calls after installing a CPR Call Blocker.
Summary: Call blockers intercept suspicious numbers, preventing scammers from ever making contact and reducing fraud risk dramatically.
Real-World Example
A retired teacher in Manchester received daily calls from fake “Visa Security” agents. After installing a CPR Call Blocker, the scam stopped immediately. Her daughter later reviewed the logs and found that over 40 calls were blocked within the first two weeks—all from spoofed or overseas numbers.
Summary: Real households see immediate drops in scam call attempts once call blockers are installed.
How to Maximise Financial Fraud Protection
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).
- Use a pre-programmed call blocker with an updated scam database.
- Activate Caller ID with your provider.
- Never share financial details by phone.
- Report any attempted scams to Action Fraud.
Summary: Combine call blockers with awareness and reporting to build the strongest line of defence.
Why Families Should Install Call Blockers for Elderly Relatives
Elderly people are disproportionately affected by phone scams. Installing a call blocker can:
- Protect savings and pensions.
- Prevent emotional distress and confusion.
- Give families peace of mind.
- Allow safe communication only from trusted contacts.
Summary: Call blockers safeguard elderly relatives from phone scams while preserving independence.
Conclusion
Financial fraud over the phone can devastate victims—but it’s preventable. A landline call blocker offers an affordable, reliable way to stop scammers before they cause harm, keeping your family’s finances and peace of mind secure.
Explore CPR Call Blocker V100K to protect your loved ones today.
FAQs
Q: Can call blockers stop all scam calls?
A: They can block up to 95% of known scams, with one-touch options for new ones.
Q: Do they work with cordless phones?
A: Yes—just connect the device to your main base unit.
Q: What if a scammer spoofs a local number?
A: Many blockers detect suspicious caller ID patterns and block them automatically.
Q: Who should I contact if I suspect fraud?
A: Report to Action Fraud or your local police.
