Overview
- Irish phone users report a sharp rise in automated scam calls showing UK +44 prefixes, enabled by number spoofing.
- ComReg says a Voice Firewall will launch in the first half of 2026, using real-time analytics and machine learning to detect unusual call signalling and block suspect traffic.
- The regulator reports over 131 million scam calls blocked from February 2023 to October 2025, including more than 18 million in September 2025.
- Answering unknown calls can mark a number as active, which ComReg warns may be logged and sold to other cybercriminals.
- As immediate measures, users can enable iPhone iOS 26 “Ask Reason for Calling” or Google Pixel “Automatically Screen Calls” and avoid sharing any personal information.