Britain’s top mobile networks have pledged to block foreign call centres from impersonating banks within the next 12 months as part of a new landmark agreement between government and industry.

BT, EE, VodafoneThree, and Virgin Media 02 are among the organisations which have agreed to upgrade their networks within the next year to "eliminate the ability for foreign call centres to spoof UK numbers", making it clear that calls are originating from abroad.

They have also agree to roll out advanced call tracing technology across their networks so that police have the intelligence to track down scammers operating across the UK.

The Home Office said that new commitments to increase data sharing with law enforcement will shine a light on the mobile networks that "let scam calls slip through the net."

AI will also be implemented by the telecoms giants to identify and block suspicious calls and texts, stopping scammers before they can reach user mobiles.

Under the agreement, victims will have access to faster support from Britain's phone networks, with help times cut to two weeks.

The new measures form part of the Telecoms Charter, which brings together government and top mobile networks to crack down on scam calls.

Other signatories of the Charter include Tesco Mobile, Talk Talk, Sky and voice and telephony membership body Comms Council UK (CCUK).

As part of the move, which comes as fraud tops the list for the UK's most reported crime, CCUK will create practical guidance for members designed to help them prevent and tackle fraud.

“Through the actions we’ve agreed in this Charter, the telecoms sector will make the UK a harder target for fraudsters, and a safer place for the public," said Brian Webb, chair, Communications Crime Strategy Group and chief security officer BT/EE. "The actions that we have committed to will deliver real change - from expanding trusted data sharing and enhancing call security, to using artificial intelligence responsibly, and supporting victims with compassion and speed."

Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud prevention at Virgin Media O2 stressed that no industry alone can completely prevent fraud, adding that working across sectors is the key to stopping scams and "disrupting organised gangs."

"We’re playing our part and urge government to match our resolve in the forthcoming Fraud Strategy by providing law enforcement with the resources needed to bring fraudsters to justice," continued Mackenzie.

Tracey Wright, chair of CCUK, said that the Charter's overall message around collaborative data sharing, advanced technology solutions, and unified public messaging will strengthen the industry's collective defences and help disrupt fraudulent activity "at scale."

“Through my work with Comms Council UK, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of sector-wide collaboration and intelligence sharing," she added. "By aligning our efforts through this Charter, whether through joint initiatives on fraud detection or stronger customer protections, we are building a safer, more trusted communications environment for everyone."

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