Insights

In a significant move to combat the rising tide of scam calls, Ofcom has mandated that all UK telecom companies must block millions of fraudulent calls from abroad that use spoofed UK landline numbers. Starting Monday, telecom providers will have a six-month period to implement measures to identify and prevent these deceptive calls, which have long exploited the trust of UK consumers by masquerading as legitimate entities like banks or government departments. Fraudsters have utilized technology to alter their caller ID, making it appear as though they are calling from familiar UK numbers. This tactic has led to numerous scams, with unsuspecting individuals often believing they are speaking to their bank's fraud department. The issue gained public attention in 2019, when reports revealed the extent of this fraudulent practice, prompting calls for regulatory action. BT has already taken proactive steps, blocking up to one million scam calls daily since July 2022, while other companies like TalkTalk have followed suit. However, the new Ofcom directive will enforce a broader industry-wide response, although there is a grace period allowing some networks to continue receiving these calls until January. Telecom expert Ernest Doku from uSwitch praised the initiative, noting that a significant portion of the UK population is hesitant to answer calls due to scam concerns. Ofcom's enhanced guidance aims not only to reduce scam calls but also to address mobile messaging scams, as the regulator seeks innovative solutions to protect consumers.