Consultation: Combatting mobile messaging scams

We are proposing new rules on how mobile providers must stop scammers from sending mobile messages

Protecting people and businesses from the harms caused by scams is a priority for Ofcom. Scammers use mobile messaging services to reach victims at a mass scale and manipulate them into making payments or sharing sensitive information - often alongside scam phone calls, online messages, social media posts, paid-for adverts or emails. This criminal activity causes significant financial and emotional harm to UK people and businesses and damages their confidence in vital communications services.

Many telecoms companies have been proactive in disrupting scam mobile messages in recent years. However, industry must do more to protect people and businesses.

We are consulting on proposals for new rules and guidance for mobile operators and business messaging aggregators. The proposals draw on existing best practice in the mobile sector and are intended to both prevent scammers from accessing mobile messaging services and to stop their activities where they have gained access. We expect that they would address gaps in industry’s existing counter-scam measures and significantly reduce the risk that people and businesses receive scam mobile messages.

Responding to this consultation

Please submit responses using the response form no later than 28th January 2026.

We plan to publish our final decision in summer 2026.