Scams Team team up with Comms Council UK

Comms Council UK and National Trading Standards launch joint information sharing initiative to crack down on telephone fraud
London, UK, 29th January 2024 - More than eight in 10 (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. That's an estimated 44.6 million adults in the UK (Ofcom, n.d.). Combatting fraud requires a multifaceted approach, with Comms Council UK (CCUK), the trade association for telecoms companies that provide services to business and residential customers in the UK, today announcing its collaboration with National Trading Standards Scams Team on fraud detection and prevention.
The initiative enables CCUK’s members to share information on fraudulent behaviour more easily both within the CCUK membership and with relevant industry stakeholders. Members are invited to share reports of potential misuse with the National Trading Standards Scams Team. The Scams Team will also combine such data with existing intelligence to build patterns and profiles, allowing for further action to be taken against these criminals
“Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and inventive in finding ways to scam or defraud individuals and businesses via calls, messaging and texts. I believe that our experience in managing such scenarios for other industries, combined with the wealth of information held within CCUK’s membership, will stand us in good stead to greatly reduce fraudulent activity in the telecoms sector we are delighted with this partnership,” said Louise Baxter MBE, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team.
By participating in this innovative initiative, telecoms companies can not only save victims from substantial financial losses, but help rebuild trust in telephone calls. The scheme sits alongside existing efforts taking place within Government, regulators, law enforcement bodies, and other sectors like banking.
“We are delighted to be working with National Trading Standards Scams Team on this initiative, which is both incredibly timely and necessary. There is no single solution to resolve the great challenge which fraud presents to our industry, but it is essential that we take a proactive approach. The telecoms sector has a key role to play in implementing greater reporting and analysis of fraud, which will provide a solid foundation to promptly and effectively reduce criminal behaviour executed through telephone calls,” said Tracey Wright, Chair of CCUK.
The initiative is open to all CCUK members, who can discover how to report proven or potential criminal behaviour to the National Trading Standards Scams Team through the CCUK member wiki. Non-members are invited to learn more about becoming a CCUK member on our website or by contacting [email protected].
For both members and non-members, CCUK will host its inaugural Fraud Summit on 5th March 2025 at One Birdcage Walk in London, bringing together representatives from sectors such as telecoms and banking, as well as regulators, law enforcement bodies, and civil servants to share insights on how to tackle fraud effectively.
About Comms Council UK
Comms Council UK (CCUK) is a membership-led organisation that both represents and supports telecommunications companies that provide services to business and residential customers in the UK. Our members keep Britain talking in its various guises by providing or reselling voice services over data networks (VoIP) as well as other “over the top” applications including instant messaging and video. CCUK represents its members at a policy level, builds coalitions to collaborate on industry initiatives and provides a platform to help members prepare for change, learn about new trends and develop new business relationships. To join, please fill out the form on our website or contact [email protected].
About National Trading Standards
National Trading Standards Scams Team. The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team helps address mass marketing fraud and disrupts the activities of the perpetrators. It collaborates with agencies nationwide to identify and assist victims of mass marketing fraud.
The team provides guidance, best practice and establishes a centre of excellence to assist local authorities in supporting local victims and taking local enforcement action.