AI ‘Granny’ Created to Waste Scammers’ Time
on Phone Calls

Another way that you can fight back against fraudsters is by reporting fraudulent calls and texts to 7726 – the numbers spell SPAM on a phone keypad. Cybersecurity company Proofpoint operates the 7726 message system on behalf of mobile phone operators. Once a number is reported to the service, the mobile phone operator will investigate and can block numbers that are generating spam or scams on their networks. They can also use the information to inform Ofcom (The Office of Communications), the industry regulator.

O2 is investing heavily in AI-powered tools to fight text and call spam and scams. The technology can review and block fraudulent communications more effectively and at a much larger scale than humans can. However, with the constantly evolving nature of scams, the technology will have to develop just as quickly.

O2 has published a new web page offering advice on how to ‘Swerve the Scammers’. It includes tips on staying safe from scammers, how to report suspicious activity and what to do if you have been the victim of fraud.

It wants customers to help by reporting as many dodgy calls and messages as possible and letting Daisy get on with talking to the scammers.

Sarah Spruce, Legal Director at TLW Solicitors, says:

“Daisy is a great asset to O2 and I’m sure she will never tire of talking to the scammers! The government, banks and telecoms companies must continue to raise awareness of fraud tactics and educate the general public on how to keep their money safe. Sadly, we see many cases where people have been tricked by very sophisticated scams, losing their hard-earned money in the process.

“If you or a loved one have lost money through a scam that started by text message, a telephone call, or even on a social media advert, please get in touch. Don’t be embarrassed that you were caught out – you’ve seen how prevalent these scams have become and the considerable steps, including Daisy, that are finally being taken to prevent them. If you have lost out to a scam, get in touch with a member of TLW’s Scam Team and we can explore your options and see if you may be eligible to make a ‘no-win, no-fee’ refund claim.”

As a firm of solicitors specialising in consumer claims, we help people who have lost money through scam texts or calls.

APP fraud (Authorised Push Payment Fraud) involves sophisticated social engineering techniques to trick or persuade you into transferring money from your bank account to the scammer’s. You may be made to believe that the call or text message is from your bank or another trusted person. Usually, an element of urgency is built in to make you act quickly without fully thinking about what is being asked.

People can lose thousands of pounds quickly, and the scammers might have moved the money to another account before their victim even realises they have been scammed. By then, it can be difficult to trace or recover.

New rules concerning APP fraud reimbursement were introduced on 7th October 2024, with the onus being placed on payment service providers to reimburse their victims within five working days. However, not all cases are covered by the new rules and the compensation limit of £85,000 may not be appropriate.

Our specialist team will assess your case to see if your claim is likely to succeed. If you are eligible, we will work with you to progress your refund claims, whether that is through your bank or the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), an independent government backed body that resolves disputes between financial institutions and their customers.