We are all inundated with scam calls, and the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is stepping up efforts to tackle them.
If you’ve ever hesitated to answer a call from an unfamiliar UK mobile number, you’re not alone. Ofcom’s latest proposal tackles a common tactic used by fraudsters: spoofing UK mobile numbers so scam calls appear to come from local, trusted numbers.
Marina Gibbs, Policy Director for Networks and Communications at Ofcom, warned: “Customers endure a barrage of scam calls, and when people get caught out, the consequences can be devastating. It can happen to anyone, with criminal gangs in other countries trying to exploit people when their guard is down.”
“The measures already in place have stopped around a million malicious calls every day, but there’s no single solution. We must continue to strengthen protections against fraud. These proposed changes would give people in the UK further defence against such scams.”
Scammers based overseas rely on the fact that people are more likely to answer a familiar +44 number than an international one. Ofcom’s research highlights this trust: while only about one in ten people would pick up an unknown international number, that rises to roughly one in four when the caller ID appears to be a UK mobile number.
Ofcom has already directed phone companies to block international calls that fake UK landline numbers. However, a loophole left scammers able to impersonate UK mobile numbers, partly because operators were reluctant to block calls that might belong to genuine customers roaming abroad.
To close that loophole, Ofcom now proposes that phone companies should withhold or mask the caller ID for any overseas-originating call that appears to be from a UK mobile number, unless the operator can verify it belongs to a legitimate customer. Cybersecurity specialists say the plan is overdue.
“Scam calls are not a new problem, and current countermeasures are often inadequate,” said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN. “It’s encouraging to see Ofcom pressing telecom providers to do more to protect their customers.”
Briedis warned these calls are frequently the opening move in serious financial crimes. Their aim is to trick victims into revealing personal details that can enable a SIM-swapping attack.
“If successful,” he explained, “a SIM-swapping attack allows criminals to intercept calls and messages intended for the victim, potentially giving them access to the victim’s online accounts.”
Although regulatory changes could make a meaningful difference, you can take immediate steps to protect yourself. Briedis recommends contacting your mobile provider about built-in protections such as EE’s Scam Guard or employing a reputable third-party call-blocking app. At minimum, if you receive a call you recognize as a scam, block the number and report it to your provider.
Ofcom is inviting feedback on its proposal until 13 October 2025 and expects to reach a final decision early next year.
(Image by Mohamed Hassan)
See also: UK risks losing £230B without mobile network upgrades
Want to learn more about cybersecurity and cloud technology from industry experts? Consider attending Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, held in Amsterdam, California, and London. The event runs alongside other industry gatherings, offering sessions on digital transformation, IoT, blockchain, AI, and big data.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge.