In the ongoing battle against scam calls, a major victory has been secured. As of today, UK phone providers are required to block international calls that mimic UK landline numbers. This strengthened industry guidance from Ofcom is a significant step in protecting consumers from fraudulent activity.
"Spoofing" – the practice of disguising a caller's real number – is a common tactic used by scammers. By imitating trusted UK numbers, such as those of banks, government departments, or even friends and family, fraudsters increase their chances of tricking unsuspecting victims. We're all more likely to answer a call from a familiar UK number than an unknown international one, and scammers know this.
How the New Rules Will Help:
From today, phone companies must identify and block all calls from abroad that falsely display a UK landline number as the "Presentation Number" (the number you see on your phone screen). There are a few limited exceptions for legitimate international calls, but these will be strictly controlled.
This new measure builds on previous efforts to block calls from abroad that use a UK number as the "Network Number" (the origin of the call). The impact of these measures is already clear. BT, for example, reported blocking up to one million scam calls per day within the first month of voluntarily implementing similar measures. Ofcom’s guidance now makes this crucial protection standard practice across the entire telecoms industry.
What About Spoofed Mobile Numbers?
While this is a huge step forward, the fight isn't over. Ofcom recognises that scammers also spoof UK mobile numbers and is working on solutions to tackle this issue. Last year, they sought input on the best technical approaches and are expected to announce their proposed next steps later this year.
A Collaborative Effort:
Today's strengthened guidance is a vital tool in disrupting international scammers. By blocking calls that falsely display UK landline numbers, it makes it much harder for these criminals to reach their targets.
Ofcom is committed to working alongside the police, other regulators, and the telecoms industry to protect consumers from scams. The upcoming measures to combat spoofed mobile numbers will further strengthen these efforts. This is a war of attrition against scammers, and these new rules are a powerful weapon in our arsenal. Stay vigilant, but rest assured that the UK is taking serious action to protect you from these fraudulent calls.
Source: Ofcom (29 Jan 2025)