'Trying to fool people'- Warning alert as huge spike in unfamiliar +44 scam numbers

People across Ireland have seen a huge surge in the number of scam callers trying to contact them, in particular scam callers using phone numbers from the UK.

Unfamiliar +44 scam numbers have been ringing phones across the country quite frequently in recent times and people are being warned not to answer the call.

Tech expert Elaine Burke was on Ireland AM this morning, on Tuesday December 16, to explain why there has been a sudden spike in UK scam call numbers and what people should do about it.

"It is this sudden surge from calls that are coming through from people spoofing UK numbers....so basically it looks like it's coming from the UK but it could be coming from anywhere really".

"They are commonly at the moment offering people work through Indeed.....I've heard of other people who have answered the call have been told it is to do with their Vodafone bill even though they don't actually have a contract with Vodafone....".

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"That is quite a concerning one because Vodafone is a very active networking operation here in Ireland....they are trying to fool people in to sharing information".

It was also discussed on Ireland AM that a female voice has been appearing in voicemails that follow these scam calls asking people to add her to their WhatsApp contacts.

Elaine said that "anyone can be scammed....they will just try every number that they have got in their database that is why we are getting so many of them at the moment.....basically the suspicion is there is a massive database filled with Irish numbers that is being used by some sort of scamming team and they are going through each number to try and scam you or label you for future scams".

Elaine said that when she receives scam calls herself she will let it ring out instead of rejecting the call.

"I don't want to send any signal that there is any kind of activity on the other end...I've had the +44 calls myself and a surge in them over two days and they stopped....but other people who are being plagued by them maybe they have sensed some activity on the other end and if they keep trying they might get you to answer," Elaine said.

Elaine offered the advice that when you are signing up for things online and they ask you to fill in your phone number you don't necessarily need to. She said if you don't think it's needed, put in a fake phone number yourself. This could prevent your number from being discovered online by scammers.

Elaine said that Comreg will be implementing a Voice Firewall to help prevent scam callers that is to be introduced in the first half of 2026.

Comreg stands for Commision for Communications Regulation and it is an independent public body in Ireland responsible for regulating the electronic communications sector.

Comreg has stated in a recent report that the critical Voice Firewall will be deployed in the first half of 2026 and the impact of this should provide an important defence against scam calls, notably including those which spoof international numbers.

Comreg said that it will continue to work with industry to oversee the implementation and maintenance of existing and any new anti-scam interventions.

It also emphasised that "everyone has a role to play. Consumers should remain vigilant, recognising that awareness and caution are key to scam prevention.

"ComReg continues to advise the public to be prudent with all calls and SMSs that they receive, and avoid clicking on or using URLs and/or providing personal information, such as bank details, PPS numbers, or credit card details".

An Garda Siochana have issued advice for people on what you can do to avoid being scammed by a fake caller.

• Beware of unsolicited telephone calls.
• Take the caller’s number and advise them that you will call them back.
• In order to validate their identity, look up the organisation’s
  phone number and contact them directly.
• Don’t validate the caller using the phone number they have
  given you (this could be a fake or spoofed number).
• Fraudsters can find your basic information online (e.g. social
  media). Don’t assume a caller is genuine just because they
  have such details.
• Don’t share your credit or debit card PIN number or your online
  banking password. Your bank will never ask for such details.
• Don’t transfer money to another account on their request.
  Your bank will never ask you to do so.
• If you think it’s a bogus call, report it to your bank