![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/mobile-phone-firms-should-be-prosecuted-if-they-dont-stop-scam-texts-say-peers/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0_Close-Up-Of-Person-With-Addiction-To-Online-Gambling-Or-Shopping-Using-Credit-Card-And-Mobile-Phone.jpg&description=The House of Lords digital fraud committee has said telecoms giants must do more to prevent scam messages reaching victims and should combat the problem of spoof callsMobile phone firms are under pressure to stop scam text messages sent by fraudstersMobile phone firms should face criminal prosecution if they do not stamp out the scourge of scam text messages, it has been warned. Peers have demanded the introduction of a new corporate criminal offence of 'failure to prevent fraud'. In a damning report, the House of Lords digital fraud committee said the telecoms sector must do more to stop messages before they reach victims and combat spoof calls. The tech industry must slam the brakes on fraudsters using online advertising and social media platforms to reel in consumers, it said. "Until all fraud-enabling industries fear significant financial, legal and reputational risk for their failure to prevent fraud, they will not act," the peers said. Mobile phone companies could face fines if they fail to stop customers being victims of fraud ( Getty Images) Fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in England and Wales, accounting for approximately 41% of all crime against individuals, the report said. "If citizens were being routinely mugged and having millions of pounds stolen from their wallets in broad daylight, every organisation involved in allowing this to happen would have no choice but to deal with it swiftly, and the perpetrators would be brought to justice in court," it said. "Because most fraud is now happening online and often involves social engineering of the victim, the exponential growth in fraud and scams has been invisible and fraudsters face little risk of being caught. This has to stop." Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: "The lack of a joined-up approach between different business sectors is holding back the fight against fraud and leaving consumers exposed to unscrupulous scammers." A Government spokesman said: "We remain a){kind=link}
The House of Lords digital fraud committee has said telecoms giants must do more to prevent scam messages reaching victims and should combat the problem of spoof calls
Mobile phone firms should face criminal prosecution if they do not stamp out the scourge of scam text messages, it has been warned.
Peers have demanded the introduction of a new corporate criminal offence of “failure to prevent fraud”.
In a damning report, the House of Lords digital fraud committee said the telecoms sector must do more to stop messages before they reach victims and combat spoof calls.
The tech industry must slam the brakes on fraudsters using online advertising and social media platforms to reel in consumers, it said.