In a significant move to combat the rising tide of scam calls, the UK’s communications regulator has announced stricter telecoms rules aimed at blocking millions of suspicious calls from international scammers. Starting January 2025, phone companies will be required to prevent calls originating from abroad that mimic UK landline numbers—a deceptive practice known as “spoofing.”
At WhatSpam, we welcome these new regulations and remain committed to providing you with advanced tools to protect yourself from fraudulent communications.
The Rising Threat of Spoofed Calls
Scammers have increasingly adopted spoofing techniques to disguise their international calls as local UK numbers. This strategy exploits the trust people place in familiar-looking numbers, making them more likely to answer the call and potentially fall victim to fraud.
Nearly half of UK landline users (48%) reported receiving a suspicious call in the last three months. Some individuals receive up to two fraudulent calls per day, and those over 75 are particularly susceptible to these scams.
Impact on the Public
Victims can suffer significant monetary losses due to fraudulent schemes, resulting in severe financial harm. The psychological impact includes stress, anxiety, and a loss of trust in telephone communications, leading to emotional distress. Frequent scam calls also cause an erosion of trust, diminishing confidence in legitimate phone interactions.
How WhatSpam Enhances Your Protection
While regulatory measures are a significant step forward, scammers continually adapt their tactics. WhatSpam provides an additional layer of defense to keep you safe from fraudulent communications.
Key Features
• Advanced Call Blocking: Our technology identifies and blocks calls from known scam numbers, including those that use spoofing techniques.
• Real-Time Updates: Our database is continuously updated with the latest scam numbers and methods.
• AI-Powered Detection: Intelligent algorithms analyze call patterns to detect and prevent new scam attempts.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easily customize your settings to suit your preferences and stay informed about blocked calls.
Multi-Channel Security
• Call Protection: Blocks unwanted and suspicious calls before they reach you.
• Text Message Filtering: Identifies and filters out phishing texts and spam messages.
• Email Safeguards: Shields your inbox from phishing emails and scams.
Tips to Stay Safe from Scam Calls
In addition to using WhatSpam, consider these best practices:
1. Be Skeptical of Caller ID: Do not trust the caller ID display blindly; scammers can manipulate it to appear legitimate.
2. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial details in response to an unsolicited call.
3. Verify the Source: If unsure, hang up and contact the organization directly using official contact information.
4. Use Call-Blocking Apps: Enhance your phone’s security with apps like WhatSpam that specialize in identifying and blocking scam calls.
Join the Fight Against Fraudulent Calls
The upcoming regulations mark a significant advancement in protecting the public from scam calls. However, personal vigilance and effective tools are essential to ensure comprehensive security.
Download WhatSpam and take advantage of our free 14-day premium trial. Experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected by state-of-the-art technology designed to keep scammers at bay.
