Ofcom takes aim at scam calls from abroad

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Following a consultation, Ofcom will now require mobile network operators to identify and block calls from abroad which falsely display a UK telephone number

In February, Ofcom opened a consultation into how better to block scam calls from abroad that masquerade as originating from within the UK.

Now, with the consultation complete, the regulator is formally updating its industry guidance to require the operators to identify and block these calls, with few exceptions.

This measure, Ofcom says, will have “a significant impact on protecting the public from scam calls”, noting that BT is already blocking up to one million calls per day after implementing the guidance on a voluntary basis earlier this year.

Indeed, the scale of the scam call challenge should not be underestimated. Research from Ofcom this year showed that 48% of landline user and 39% of mobile users said they had received a scam call in the last three months. While these figures are down from those recording in 2021 (56% and 45%, respectively), this still equates to millions of scam calls reaching customers every year.

The new measures introduced today should go some way to reduce these numbers further, but it is worth noting that the regulations only apply to incoming calls featuring the UK dialling code (+44), leaving incoming calls presenting as UK mobile phones (+447) unaffected.

Ofcom has today issued a Call for Input to stakeholders on how best to tackle scam calls originating from +447 numbers without negatively impacting legitimate consumers calling from abroad.

“Criminals who defraud people by exploiting phone networks cause huge distress and financial harm to their victims. While there’s encouraging signs that scam calls and texts are declining, they remain widespread and we’re keeping our foot to the throttle to find new and innovative ways to tackle the problem,” said Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications.

“Under our strengthened industry guidance, millions more scam calls from abroad which use spoofed UK landline numbers will be blocked – with similar plans underway for calls which spoof UK mobile numbers. We’re also challenging the industry and other interested parties to provide evidence on the best solutions to tackle mobile messaging scams.”

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