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Nuisance Calls: Fraud

Asked by Bradley ThomasConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 18 February 2025UIN 30354

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to reduce spam telephone calls linked to fraudulent activity; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on potential penalties for this.

Answered by Chris Bryant

The Government takes fraud seriously. DSIT works closely with Ofcom, who have a duty to ensure UK numbers are not misused including by requiring telecoms operators to block spoofing calls from abroad imitating UK landline numbers in order to help protect consumers from scam calls.

DSIT is also working closely with the Home Office, who lead on fraud policy, and other government departments to tackle telecoms fraud. Together, we are working with industry to develop a second Telecoms Fraud Charter, going further in identifying, preventing and disrupting telecoms fraud.

We will continue to work with industry and government departments to ensure that as threats evolve so too does the response.

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