Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Regulator Ofcom has announced that new rules have been proposed to protect people and businesses from mobile messaging scams.
The communications watchdog said it was calling for new rules after 100 million suspicious messages were reported to mobile providers last year.
Ofcom said the number had increased despite steps taken by mobile companies to identify and block scam messages.
On Wednesday, the regulator launched a package of measures that could lead to new requirements for mobile providers.
It proposed that companies should set limits on the amount of messages sent from pay-as-you-go SIM cards.
It said research had shown this would make it harder for scammers to send messages to large numbers of potential victims at once.
Mobile operators will also have to block numbers used by scammers. Ofcom wants to force providers to use reports from customers and law enforcement bodies to identify fraudsters and stop them using these numbers.
It is also asking operators to disrupt business messaging scams, conduct advance and ongoing due diligence checks, and prevent the use of fake sender names.
Amy Jordan, Ofcom’s strategy delivery director, said: “Messaging scams can have a devastating impact on their victims.
“Our plans will ensure mobile companies consistently implement proven measures to thwart these crimes.
“This means driving scammers out of the network and preventing the millions of scammers from reaching people and businesses each year.”
The regulator said it is seeking views on its proposals until the end of January, and plans to publish its final decisions next summer.