NORWICH, UK. April 19th, 2024 – Home digital voice phone provider Phonely is taking steps to fight the scourge of phone scams that target older people in their homes.
Accounting to the charity Re-engage, two out of three older people have been the victims of a scam during the previous 12 months. Around a fifth experienced weekly attempts, and 40% reported illegal approaches at least once a month.
As the vast majority of these shameful attempts to defraud vulnerable people are telephone-related, Phonely is determined to offer easy-to-implement anti-fraud measures as part of its VoIP (voice over internet protocol) system.
Phonely customers who opt for one of the company’s top two pricing tiers benefit from CallGuard technology. Designed to combat phone-related fraud and scams, the system informs callers that the recipient is being protected at all times. This involves a warning that all conversations are being continuously monitored for suspicious activity.
The digital voice technology also automatically blocks suspicious numbers and those previously linked to scams and unscrupulous behaviour. This measure ensures vulnerable people at home don’t have to deal with the stressful process of saying ‘no’ without coming across as rude.
All the calls protected by Phonely’s CallGuard are recorded and transcribed. This useful feature allows both the recipient and their concerned loved ones to assess the nature of the conversation later to look for signs of suspicious activity. It also provides what might be valuable evidence in the event of a criminal investigation or a compensation claim.
At a time when losing just £100 can leave one in four people in the UK in financial crisis, this technology is proving useful and comforting to people susceptible to this kind of criminal activity.
Phonely’s anti-fraud VoIP service has already provided hundreds of older people in the UK with comforting protection. The technology’s impressive functionality won Phonely the title of ‘Most Innovative Small Business Award’ at the Business Awards UK 2024.
Phonely’s Hannah Hood is optimistic about the future for the UK’s older people who live in fear of phone scams. She said: “Phone scams in the UK have been out of control for too long and like most crimes, they target the vulnerable in society disproportionately. Targeting older people who often live alone is despicable, and we’re determined to do something about it.
“Everyone who wants to keep a landline in their home will need to switch to a digital voice solution by the end of 2025. But rather than being a chore, we see this as an opportunity for vulnerable people to protect themselves against phone fraud.
“Phonely’s CallGuard technology is easy to set up and works autonomously in the background. We also give our customers the option to nominate a Trusted Person, who will receive an alert when something is amiss.
“Real-time alerts are sent to the Trusted person when the system is offline, a call is taken from a withheld or international number and certain suspicious keywords are recorded during a call. These words include ‘pay’, ‘payment’, ‘bank account’ and other words and phrases that could signify a phone scam.
“Crucially, our customers’ Trusted Person can join a call if an intervention is required to prevent a scam or unscrupulous activity. The fact that we’re offering protection and peace of mind to the most vulnerable in society is a great source of pride for everyone at Phonely.”
Customers can choose from three VoIP plans on the Phonely website or by calling 0800 112 5000.