Over the last few years I have been contacted by more and more people who are frustrated by the growing number of nuisance calls that they receive.

Of course some of these are legitimate business calls, although that makes them no less annoying, but they can be a real problem if you end up speaking to a scammer.

So, as part of Scams Awareness Month, here is some useful information about telephone scams and what to do about those nuisance calls.

38% of scams use phone calls or texts to target consumers. If you get a call out of the blue, be aware.

Suspect a phone scam? Hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line or use another phone to call your bank to verify the call.

Telephone numbers starting with 09 are premium-rate numbers – beware people asking you to call these & keeping you on the line.

Computer firms do not make unsolicited phone calls to help fix your computers, this type of scam appears to be on the rise.

You can cut down unwanted phone calls by registering your number with the Telephone Preference Service at www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 070 0707

Take action against cold calls and unwanted texts by reporting them to the Information Commissioners Office. https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing/