UPDATE Vodafone UK Block Bulk SCAM Callers from its Mobile Network

Customers of Vodafone’s mobile network may be pleased to learn that the operator has today introduced a new call barring technology, which is designed to block hundreds of thousands of bulk nuisance and scam calls from entering their network (false PPI offers, missed call scams etc.).

The new system marks a significant enhancement over the old method, which could only block customers from unintentionally returning a call to a fraudulent number and couldn’t prevent them from receiving the nuisance call in the first place.

Apparently Vodafone’s existing customers won’t need to do anything and will be unaware that a call has even been blocked because the system works discreetly.

A recent test of the new system was able to block more than 425,000 nuisance and scam calls in a single day and, over the course of a week, this figure dropped off to just a few thousand as the perpetrators realised they couldn’t get past.

Mark Hughes, Vodafone’s Head of Corporate Security, said:

“Fraudulent calls are a scourge on society, inflicting great anxiety for victims. The protection of our customers is paramount and we have been investing heavily in our network and technology to help stamp out this practice. We will continue to evolve the technology as well as work with industry bodies and the regulator to ensure we keep one step ahead of criminals.”

The operator admits that its new system isn’t perfect and some scam calls may still get through, although it’s sure to be a welcome upgrade and another PR win for Vodafone on top of the recent move to “abolish” the separate line rental charge from their home broadband bundles.

UPDATE 22nd September 2016

On top of the above announcement Vodafone UK has also just become the first telecommunications company to receive the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Assured accreditation after having passed an extensive audit of its outbound call centres by the DMA.