Phone companies to block foreign scam calls

UK phone companies have signed up to an agreement to block any foreign calls that display a British phone number. 

The decision should help reduce scam calls, which affected 45 million people targeted this summer alone.

The decision was reached in conversations between Ofcom and leading phone networks following criticism from the National Crime Agency that not enough was being done to address the issue. Overseas fraudsters can make it seem that a UK number is calling someone by using Voice Over Internet Protocol, technology which is widely used to make cheap calls over the internet. It is just one part of a growing problem which has become significantly more serious since the pandemic.

 So far only TalkTalk has implemented the changes with other phone companies exploring options of how to do it. Ofcom have stressed that the work needs to be done as a priority.

The move was welcomed by Rocio Concha, director of advocacy and policy at Which?

“As we have witnessed over the pandemic, consumers are being bombarded with scam calls and texts – and unfortunately we have seen people lose significant sums of money as a result.

“It is encouraging to see Ofcom and the telecoms industry working together to develop solutions, which should make it harder for fraudsters to exploit systemic weaknesses to reach potential victims. It is important that companies implement the new measures as soon as possible, in order to prevent yet more scams and ensure that consumers are protected.”

As well as increases in fraudulent phone calls, cyber crime skyrocketed as soon as the pandemic hit, with the second half of 2021 seeing a 66% increase from the first. Fraudsters, willing to take advantage of people’ vulnerability during this time utilised a variety of tactics to part individuals with their hard earned cash. Numerous instances were reported of fraudulent offers of medical services such as vaccines, with many attempting to mimic well known healthcare organisations to do so.

The growing issue has started to get special attention from the government, who have set up the Joint Fraud Taskforce. The group will be made up of a combination of government ministers, leading industry figures and fraud victims who will work together to better protect the public from scams. 

Money Expert tips | Simple ways to avoid scams:

• If something seems too good to be true, then it almost certainly is
• Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into making snap decisions, take time and do your research
• Never give personal detail if you have been contacted out of the blue
• If something seems fishy, check online to see if it has been reported 

If you feel that you have fallen foul of a scam then you should contact action fraud immediately.