New Ofcom rules to block scam calls

New rules to block pesky scam calls from abroad have been introduced by Ofcom as of today (29 January).

Phone providers now have to block calls that pretend to be UK landline numbers.

Why this matters

Scammers often spoof UK numbers to trick people into answering their calls.

They know that we’re more likely to pick up a call that looks familiar.

Who wouldn’t answer a call from a local number?

What’s new?

From now on, phone companies must:

• identify and block calls from abroad that show a UK landline number
• only allow exceptions in very limited, legitimate cases

This builds on previous rules that already required blocking calls using UK numbers as a ‘network number’.

So, it’s getting tougher for the fraudsters.

Early success

BT reported a huge win, blocking up to 1m scam calls per day after they started these measures voluntarily.

That’s a lot of dodgy calls stopped in their tracks.

Future plans

There are also plans to address spoofed mobile numbers.

Last year, Ofcom gathered opinions on how to tackle this issue.

They’re working on solutions and will share updates later this year.

What officials are saying

Marina Gibbs from Ofcom said: “Today’s changes will make it harder for fraudsters to reach their victims.”

She also mentioned ongoing efforts to protect us from scams. It’s a team effort with the police and telecoms industry.

Stay ahead of the scammers

Fortunately, you can stay one step ahead of scammers.

Check out our guide about common types of fraud, including what to do if you think you've been scammed, or find out more about spotting online scams.

Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Sharing your experience can help others stay safe.