Written answers

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Telecommunications Services

Photo of Martin BrowneMartin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the unprecedented number of scam phone calls and texts that are being received by persons at present; the efforts being made by his Department to address these scams; his views on the actions that can be taken by the phone and communications companies to address this disruption; the discussions that he has had with the companies concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44222/21]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to address the increasing number of scam and nuisance phone calls and texts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44102/21]

Photo of Ossian SmythOssian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 43 together.

The telecommunications market is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. 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 (). 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 no voicemail is 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. 

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

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