Scam Calls and Texts Hit 45 Million UK People Over Summer UPDATE

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has estimated that 44.6 million UK people may have received scam calls and text messages during the past three months (summer period). But worryingly, around 2% of those who received such a message or call (roughly a million people) reported following the scammers’ instructions.

At present most of the major UK home broadband ISPs and mobile network operators have already developed technical measures to tackle Nuisance Calls and Text Messages (SMS), but these aren’t always 100% effective and there are still plenty of operators – particularly smaller providers and some VoIP firms – that take very little action.

Naturally, any significant rise in scam calls and texts, much like what has occurred over the last 18 months, is a cause for concern. In addition, Ofcom notes that the tactics used by fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, which include using multiple communication channels and spoofing well-known companies and organisations.

Results from Ofcom’s Consumer Survey

NOTE: The regulator’s survey is based off responses from 2,000 adults in the UK between 18-19th September 2021. All responses cover suspicious calls or messages received in the prior three months.

➤ 82% said they had received a suspicious message, in the form of either a text, recorded message or live phone call to a landline or mobile – representing an estimated 44.6 million adults in the UK.

➤ Scams are more commonly attempted via text messages with 71% saying they have received a suspicious text, and 75% of those aged 16-34 were targeted.

➤ 44% who had received a suspicious text message reported receiving such a message at least once a week.

➤ 61% of people aged 75 and over reported receiving a potential scam call to their landline.

➤ 53% of respondents who received a suspicious live phone call on a landline over the last three months said that they got a call at least once a week.

➤ 43% reported getting a suspect call to their mobile phone.

➤ 53% who received a suspicious text either deleted the message or blocked the number (52%).

➤ 49% of those who received a suspicious live voice call, and 44% who received a suspicious recorded message, blocked the number.

➤ 2% reported following the scammers’ instructions in a message or call.

➤ 79% of mobile phone users are not aware of the 7726 number used to report a suspected text or call – although a similar figure (81%) agreed that reporting messages is helpful in preventing people being scammed in the future.

If you’ve received a scam call, you can report it to Action Fraud, which is the reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Reports of fraud and any other financial crime in Scotland should be made to Police Scotland via 101. Meanwhile, anyone who receives a suspicious text message should report it by forwarding the message to 7726, which directs the message to your mobile operator.

At this point it goes without saying that you should never give out any personal or financial details to a suspicious caller. Instead, it’s wiser to just hang up the phone, wait a few minutes and then contact the relevant company (bank, internet provider etc.) on an official number to check if it’s a scam. As for suspicious text messages, NEVER click on any links or give out personal data.

Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s Networks and Communications Group Director, said:

“Criminals who defraud people using phone and text scams can cause huge distress and financial harm to their victims, and their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Stay alert to any unsolicited contact. Put the phone down if you have any suspicion that it is a scam call, and don’t click on any links in text messages you’re unsure about. Report texts to 7726 and scam calls to Action Fraud or Police Scotland.”

In response to the surge in scam calls and texts, Ofcom merely reiterated that they’re “working closely with industry, police, government and other regulators” to ensure “strong actions” are in place to tackle the threat and to develop technical solutions, while also raising awareness of the issue.

The Government has recently set out plans to impose tougher penalties and fines for nuisance calls and text (SMS) messages (here), although it’s unclear how much of an impact that will have, particularly given that many of the perpetrators operate from outside the UK. A voluntary charter for telecommunications providers is also in development, which will set out what actions they can take to prevent fraud.

UPDATE 4:37pm

We’ve had a comment from EE, which reports that they’ve seen an 85% reduction in scam SMS reported to them using 7726 over the last three months. The operator has also identified and terminated more than 18,000 SIMs responsible for sending spam and scam SMS from their network.

An EE spokesperson said:

“We recently introduced an anti-spam filter that has blocked more than 42 million spam and scam SMS from our network. We’ve invested millions of pounds to protect our customers and educate them to be scam aware, as we know that scam calls and texts are a real concern.”