Ofcom tells networks to block ‘number-spoofing’ scams

Ofcom has proposed new rules to force phone networks to block spam calls that impersonate the real number of legitimate organisations and companies.

In these ‘number spoofing’ attacks, the intended victim is more likely to think the call is genuine because the incoming number shown on their phone is the real one for the organisation calling – or is very similar to it.

Under the regulator’s plans, phone networks “will be expected to block numbers that are clearly spoofed”. It said this rule would apply to all phone companies, ensuring the “protection applies to millions of people”.

Spoof numbers can be identified in a number of ways. They include calls from abroad that don’t have a valid caller ID, or use a number that doesn’t conform to the UK’S 10- or 11-digit format.

Ofcom’s new guidance on blocking spoof calls from abroad is based on a scheme that some networks have set up voluntarily. One of these – Talktalk – said complaints about scam calls had fallen 65 per cent as a result.

The regulator is also proposing measures to prevent scammers getting hold of the phone numbers that it allocates to networks. It says that currently, phone companies are “expected to take reasonable steps to stop their numbers being misused, but these efforts can vary”.

To toughen this guidance, Ofcom will now ask firms to run ‘know your customer’ checks on anyone buying phone numbers.

Ofcom said these checks could involve examining the Companies House register, fraud-risk databases and the Financial Services Register to “uncover information that may indicate a high risk of misuse by the customer seeking to use phone numbers”.