We've had lots of these scam calls recently, UK sourced and abroad, including the 00140 one from heaven knows where.

The UK ones offer to solve your debt problems, or fit boilers/insulation/solar panels which will be magically paid for by HM Government. They are all clearly directed at the confused or elderly (that's me then!) as the initial spiel is usually delivered by a female who TELLS YOU TO PRESS "FIVE" NOW, OR YOU WILL BE SEVERELY DISCIPLINED WITH CASTOR OIL.   

It's not funny - both my and the missus' mums were pressured into changing their energy suppliers by doorsteppers, and this is more insidious.

We have been signed up to the Telephone Preference Service for years, but the cowboys and their subcontractors are much lighter on their feet. I checked with TPS a few weeks ago and we were still signed up, but when I tried to report a couple of UK scammers yesterday, their website was "undergoing maintenance".

When we got one of the calls from the 00140 no., I said "hello", let the caller burble on for a while, then asked him who he was. Not Microsoft this time - he claimed he was the "Telleefone Preferensse Serveesss". See, they're ahead of the game!

I look forward to an early appearance on BBC News by Dave Cameron with his hard hat and hi-viz jacket, telling us all that he will stop these scams pronto. Dream on, Ed......