Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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213. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide details of any communication with telecommunications companies and network providers to address the increase in scam and fraudulent calls and messages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43913/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The telecommunications market is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, including in relation to operational issues such as detecting or monitoring scam calls.While I understand that it is not possible to identify scam call numbers in advance, which can resemble normal, familiar geographical or international numbers encountered on a daily basis, the Regulator has published information for consumers in relation to this issue www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/mobile-phone/scam-calls-2/).

This provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls, and in particular, advising people not to answer or to call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or no voicemail left.  

The notice also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the Regulator also offers a text call back service and other facilities to assist consumers. In the meantime, ComReg continues to monitor the situation closely. 

I understand that An Garda Siochana has also raised public awareness to warn phone users on the need to remain continually alert with respect to calls and text messages