Leading mobile networks such as BT EE, VodafoneThree, and Virgin Media O2 have announced measures to prevent foreign call centers from posing as banks in a new initiative to combat scams. The networks plan to enhance their systems over the next year to prevent foreign call centers from falsifying UK numbers, a practice known as number spoofing.
Scammers utilize technology to disguise their numbers and alter their caller ID to appear trustworthy, a tactic that will now be exposed under the new crackdown, revealing the foreign origins of such calls. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) will be utilized to detect and block suspicious calls and texts, while advanced call tracing technology will be provided to law enforcement to aid in tracking down scammers nationwide.
Prominent companies like BT EE, Virgin Media O2, VodafoneThree, Tesco Mobile, Talk Talk, Sky, and Comms Council UK (CCUK) are among those participating in this effort. Recent data indicates that 96% of mobile users determine whether to answer a call based on the displayed number, with most being hesitant to pick up calls from unknown international numbers.
Lord Hanson, the Minister for Fraud, emphasized the deceptive nature of spoofed calls used by scammers and highlighted the government’s commitment to combat fraud. The government aims to eliminate call spoofing within a year, making it harder for scammers to defraud individuals. Citizens are urged to report scams and fraud to Action Fraud and seek assistance from relevant authorities in case of suspicious activities.
In case of suspected scam calls, individuals are advised to disconnect immediately and verify the caller’s details online rather than calling back the provided number. If fraud is suspected, contacting the bank promptly is essential, and changing compromised passwords is recommended. Maintaining vigilance and promptly addressing potential security threats are crucial in safeguarding against scams and fraudulent activities.