Telcos to introduce international call blocking as an anti-scam measure

The call blocking option is available from 5 January 2024 onwards.

The IMDA and Telco partners including Singtel, M1, Starhub and SIMBA introduced new measures to combat scam threats.

The measures include an option to block calls from international numbers. Calls exhibiting unusually high frequencies are suspected to be scam calls. 

In addition, all international incoming calls where the caller ID is falsified with a +65 prefix to resemble a call made from Singapore, were also identified and blocked.

This service is available from 5 January 2024 onwards. Enabling or disabling the option can be done through various channels provided by the Telcos, including call, SMS and/or through the Telcos’ app. 

Meanwhile, mobile subscribers are advised to approach their respective Telcos to understand the service scope and how to sign-up.

Approximately 1.6b international calls are received annually in Singapore including calls from scammers that operate overseas.