Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Mr.Whiskey

Telecoms regulator launches major plan to tackle volume of scam calls to Irish mobile users

ComReg has established a new taskforce to deal with the issue.

IRELAND’S TELECOMS REGULATOR has established a taskforce to tackle the increase in scam calls and texts being sent to members of the public seeking their personal details.

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) convened the taskforce last month amid fears about the perceived trustworthiness and integrity of electronic communications in Ireland.

The taskforce has appointed an independent chairperson and secretariat who will meet monthly with representatives of telecoms operators who are currently licensed to provide voice calls and SMS services in the State.

It will discuss practical ways to minimise so-called “nuisance communications” and issue two reports to ComReg on its progress over the next year: one after six months and one after a year.

The first report will include a of recommendations to combat scam communications in the long-term, while the second will update ComReg on any interventions being developed and review whether the taskforce should continue beyond that point.

The setting up of the taskforce followed a meeting between Minister of State with responsibility for communications Ossian Smyth and telecommunication industry leaders to address the ongoing problem of scam calls and messages. 

It is supported by the Department of Communications and follows what ComReg describes as an “increasing frequency of nuisance communications” to members of the public.

Polling conducted by Red C on behalf of The Journal last year found that three in four adults in Ireland received a scam call from an Irish number in the month before being surveyed.

Over the past year, members of the public reported receiving scam calls from ‘cloned‘ numbers belonging to the Department of Social Protection, the Courts Service, the office of the Attorney General, and Gardaí.

Sophisticated text messages impersonating parcel delivery companies, banks, the HSE and the Revenue Commissioners have also been sent by fraudsters.

ComReg attributes the increase in such communications to the reduced cost and increased availability of equipment that enables criminals to carry out the scam.

“Consumers are being inconvenienced, confused, and threatened by the volume of
nuisance communications,” the regulator said.

“There is a clear and present danger that consumers can be manipulated into providing sensitive personal information, such as Personal Public Service numbers and banking information.”

A similar taskforce already is being set up in the United Kingdom, where companies behind nuisance communications can be fined £500,000 (€598,000) for breaking data laws.

UK mobile network EE also had to block 18,000 sim cards used for fraud over a three-month period last year.

Correspondence from Three Ireland to Ossian Smyth, sent last November and seen by The Journal, said the taskforce could look at ways to block numbers which ‘clone’ Irish numbers from abroad.

The company’s CEO Robert Finnegan also suggested that ComReg could maintain a register of numbers based abroad which use Irish fixed numbers legitimately, such as call centres, and block those which do not.

And he said the taskforce could look at the use of a so-called Home Location Register (HLR) lookup service, a database which helps businesses find out information about the status of mobile phone numbers, such as whether a number is active or switched on.

“We continue to work closely with the Gardaí, NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre] and ComReg on this matter and we mutually share threat intelligence with the NCSC,” Finnegan said, welcoming the establishment of the taskforce.

As well as its effect on mobile phone users, ComReg also warned last December of the secondary impact on companies which rely on phone calls to carry out their business.

Announcing the taskforce, the regulator said it had heard “anecdotal cases” of firms having to advise customers that they would be calling to ensure they would be answered.

“This implies that nuisance communications are leading to missed appointments and lost business,” ComReg said.

“In short, trust is being lost in electronic communications services, and this is impacting consumers and the economy at large.” 

The regulator said last month that the first meeting of the taskforce was due to take place by the end of January, and a spokesperson said this would happen shortly.

“ComReg is aware of the impact of so-called scam or nuisance calls on users of electronic communications,” a statement read.

“By facilitating the Nuisance Communications Industry Taskforce, ComReg is working with industry so that electronic communications companies can identify interventions to mitigate this problem.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communications said that Minister Smyth continues to engage with stakeholders to develop proposals that will reduce scam calls and messages.

“The taskforce will seek to address the matter from a network operator / service provider perspective with the full support of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications,” a statement added.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
45 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Jim Jataa
    Favourite John Jim Jataa
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:58 AM

    Little known fact about the metal man.
    It was commisioned by lloyds of london, an insurance company in the early 1800′s
    An elegant dandy in tight white trousers with a limp wrist pointing downwards towards the rocks below was invaluable signal to gay seamen looking for a place where they could freely express their sexuality.The secluded Guillamene bathing area (famous for its man only sign which stands until this day) became particularly popular. The otherwise clandestine gay community had found a place where they could meet with like-minded people without being judged. The village of tramore, with its many watering holes and its proximity to the port of waterford became a haven for gay men and ‘loose’ women who could relax from the constraints of Victorian society.
    This unique history has been blotted out by the powers that be, its not a history they want associated with the town. i say, embrace it, celebrate it, recreate it……. it may just be the pull tourists are looking for……

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mogwa
    Favourite mogwa
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 1:33 PM

    I want this on a plaque in Tra.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
    Favourite Ann-Marie Wallis
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 9:30 AM

    Fantastic, really unique structures. I once read a history on the Metalman (apologies, I can’t remember the source) but I believe that similar metalmen were built on other points in Ireland and Britain to warn sailors of shallow waters.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kavanagh
    Favourite Mick Kavanagh
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:15 AM

    As far as I remember they were erected by really old insurance companies with the metal point pointing at areas of danger for incoming ships.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kavanagh
    Favourite Mick Kavanagh
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:16 AM

    *man

    2
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:53 AM

    He (in Tramore at least) points out to sea, as if telling on coming ships to turn around and return. Many ships used to mistake Tramore bay as the entrance to Waterford Harbour and run aground so the erected the metalman and his three pillars and two pillars on the brownestown head side to help ships identify that it was not the harbour.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mack
    Favourite Mack
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 11:03 AM

    Is there one out in sligo bay between the city and sailing club. Never knew Irish lights were responsible for them.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tomeenoldstock
    Favourite tomeenoldstock
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 11:16 AM

    Never knew Sligo was a city?

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Stephen Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 9:12 AM

    Never heard of it before

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:05 AM

    Worth taking a trip down to have a look. The Tramore bay area and that Waterford coast from passage east across to Dungarvan and beyond is a beautiful little part of the country.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reginald Tower
    Favourite Reginald Tower
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 4:29 PM

    Metalman beer which is brewed in Waterford & named after the statue is also well worth a taste. It won the Irish craft beer of the year 2013. Top Notch. P.S. I don’t work for them :)

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reginald Tower
    Favourite Reginald Tower
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 4:28 PM

    The Copper coastline from Tramore to Dungarvan is gorgeous. The whole area is an undiscovered gem. Stradbally must be one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Horan
    Favourite Shane Horan
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 12:12 PM

    FYI “Irish Lights” isn’t a private company. The Commissioners of Irish Lights is a statutory (i.e. government) body.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Power
    Favourite John Power
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 11:17 AM
    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Wixted
    Favourite Shane Wixted
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 10:54 AM

    Looks like a serious bush drinking spot

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute L. Casei Immunitas
    Favourite L. Casei Immunitas
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 1:25 PM

    Three cigarettes with a subbuteo figure stuck on top. Knock em down and put in a McDonalds with a 24 hour drive-thru.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Cinnéide
    Favourite Brian Ó Cinnéide
    Report
    Feb 21st 2013, 1:30 PM

    I came here for the lolz. The lolz were had.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Synnott
    Favourite Mike Synnott
    Report
    Feb 25th 2013, 7:57 AM

    I gave you a thumbs-up for your display name. I actually snorted out loud on the bus.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds