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Free app allows users to avoid nuisance and scam calls

Written By:
Guest Author
Posted:
09/08/2017
Updated:
09/08/2017

Guest Author:
Paloma Kubiak

An app has been launched to help mobile users protect themselves against the plague of nuisance and scam calls.

The TPS Protect app is available for both Android and Apple and it’s free to download.

The basic version (no monthly subscription), allows users to look up and report numbers as well as screen incoming calls.

However, users will also get a 60-day trial of the paid for TPS Protect Subscribed version, which diverts nuisance calls to voicemail, allows users to create a custom block and approve list and has greater call filtering services. Following the free 60-day trial, it costs 99p a month.

As part of the app’s sign-up process, users can ensure their mobile number is registered with the TPS, the official opt-out register allowing people to record their preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls.

It is a legal requirement that all organisations, including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have consent to do so.

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For each nuisance or scam call blocked, reported or complained about in the app, a ‘trust score’ will be determined which helps other users decide whether to pick up the call or not.

John Mitchison, head of preference services, compliance and legal at the DMA (creators of the Mailing and Telephone Preference Service), said: “When it comes to scam and nuisance callers, don’t fight a lone battle. Stand up. Join the growing movement of people fighting back.

“TPS Protect is an app for your phone that rates incoming calls using information from consumers. Each rating helps callers decide how trusted an unfamiliar call could be, from scammers with criminal intentions to someone you can trust. When scam calls get reported, their trust score drops. So your voice matters.”