Mobile phone users can now opt to block overseas calls

Users can disable calls via telcos as part of slew of anti-scam measures in 2024

- Osmond Chia

Starting on Jan 5, mobile phone users can opt in with their telecommunications providers to block all international calls, as part of a new slew of anti-scam measures to come in 2024.

Users can apply to disable calls from overseas by contacting the telecoms company via phone call or SMS, or through their telcos' apps. The move cuts off a key communication tool for fraudsters as phone calls were ranked by the police as among the top three methods scammers used to contact victims.

The new security feature is among the measures that will be rolled out by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) in 2024 as the authorities continue their war on scams, Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao on Dec 18 on MCI's digital priorities in 2024.

The authorities will also work with Google to improve anti-malware measures on Android phones amid a scourge of malware attacks, and set up a task force focused on maintaining cyber security and digital trust within Singapore, the minister said.