Ofcom introduces new blocking requirement for phone providers
Ofcom has introduced new blocking requirements for phone providers to block scam calls from abroad that imitate UK landline numbers, effective from 29 January 2025. Under the strengthened industry guidance, providers must identify and block all calls from overseas that falsely display a UK landline telephone number as a 'Presentation Number,' except in limited legitimate cases. This measure builds upon a previous requirement to block calls using UK numbers as 'Network Numbers.' BT's voluntary implementation of these measures has already prevented up to one million calls per day within the first month. Ofcom is continuing its work on tackling spoofed mobile numbers and expects to publish proposed next steps later in 2025. These efforts are part of a broader initiative involving the police, other regulators, and the telecoms industry to protect consumers from scams. The new guidance aims to combat a common scam tactic where fraudsters spoof UK phone numbers to appear as trusted entities, increasing the likelihood of victims answering the calls.
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