- Spoofed numbers to be blocked in crackdown on scammers
- Scammers faking numbers to trick the public will be exposed in a major upgrade of mobile networks.
- Includes BT, EE, VodafoneThree and Virgin Media 02, committed to blocking foreign call centres from impersonating banks within a year.
- Comms Council UK to create practical guidance for members to prevent and tackle fraud
- Scammers will be hunted down through new call tracing technology and victims will receive faster support, as mobile networks commit to slash waiting times.
Scammers hiding behind fake numbers will be unmasked under a new partnership with Britain’s biggest phone companies to protect the public from fraud. A landmark new agreement between government and industry will see a raft of new measures to safeguard the UK’s mobile network from fraud. It will make it harder than ever for criminals to trick people through scam calls, using cutting-edge technology to expose fraudsters and bring them to justice.
Scam calls and texts are a daily frustration for many, with criminals based abroad often impersonating trusted organisations like banks and government departments to deceive people to steal money or personal information. Britain’s biggest mobile networks have committed to upgrade their network within the next year to eliminate the ability for foreign call centres to spoof UK numbers, making it clear that calls are originating from abroad – exposing scammers lies. Data shows that 96% of mobile users decide whether to answer a call based on the number displayed on their screen, with three-quarters unlikely to pick up if it’s from an unknown international number.
Advanced call tracing technology will also be rolled out across mobile networks to give police the intelligence to track down scammers operating across the country and dismantle their operations. New commitments to boost data sharing with the police will shine a light on the mobile networks that let scam calls slip through the net, empowering customers and making it harder for scams to go undetected.
Minister for Fraud, Lord Hanson has stated:
“Spoofed calls allow scammers to deceive the public with fake identities and false promises. This government is committed to tackling fraud. In a major upgrade of our mobile network, call spoofing will be eliminated within a year – stripping away the tools scammers use to cheat people out of their hard-earned cash. We’re stepping up our defences to protect victims and make sure the UK is the hardest place in the world for scammers to operate.”
These measures form part of the new Telecoms Charter, which brings together government and top mobile networks to crack down on scam calls. Signatories include BT EE, Virgin Media 02, VodafoneThree, Tesco Mobile, Talk Talk, Sky and Comms Council UK (CCUK).
AI will also be deployed to identify and block suspicious calls and texts, halting scammers before they can reach users’ mobiles. For the first time, industry is pledging to set clear, measurable goals to ensure fraud victims receive prompt and specialist assistance.
Victims will also now see swifter support from phone networks, with help times to be slashed to two weeks, helping affected individuals recover more quickly and confidently. Fraud has become the UK’s most reported crime, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Beyond financial losses, scam calls can cause emotional distress and undermine public trust in essential services.
With advanced AI tools, rapid case support, and new staff training, mobile networks will work nonstop to outsmart scammers and protect every customer from harm. The new agreement sets out clear commitments to keep the public’s hard-earned cash out of the hands of fraudsters as part of the Plan for Change. The upcoming Fraud Strategy will build on this work to unite industry, disrupt criminal networks and better protect the public. Voice and telephony membership body CCUK will also create practical guidance for members to prevent and tackle fraud.
Government and mobile networks will monitor results, challenge each other to go further, and keep evolving as scammers change tactics.
Tracey Wright, Chair of Comms Council UK, stated
“The launch of the second Telecommunications Fraud Charter marks a significant step forward in the fight against fraud in our sector. We are proud to support this initiative, which brings together government and industry to deliver real, lasting change for consumers and businesses alike. As part of the Charter, we commit to continue to release best practice guidance to our membership that will raise standards and reduce opportunities for fraudulent behaviour using voice and telephony. The Charter’s overall message around collaborative data sharing, advanced technology solutions, and unified public messaging will strengthen our collective defences and help disrupt fraudulent activity at scale.” She continues,
“Through my work with Comms Council UK, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of sector-wide collaboration and intelligence sharing. By aligning our efforts through this Charter, whether through joint initiatives on fraud detection or stronger customer protections, we are building a safer, more trusted communications environment for everyone. The Charter sets a clear path for the telecoms sector to lead by example, and we look forward to working alongside our partners to deliver on its commitments and create a future where fraudsters find it harder to succeed.”
