Receiving spam or scam calls has become a daily nuisance for mobile users. On terrible days, some report receiving 10 or more such calls.
Beyond mere frustration, these relentless interruptions can be highly disruptive. Imagine being in the middle of an important business meeting, engaged in a critical conversation, or simply craving a moment of peace — only to have your phone ring again with an unknown number.
What used to be a minor inconvenience has evolved into a serious problem. Beyond being a nuisance, these calls are increasingly linked to scams and fraud.
Many of us have received those infamous robotic or foreign-accented voices claiming to be from a government agency, bank, or delivery service, warning us about a supposed issue with our accounts.
Others have faced more targeted scams, where fraudsters possess partial personal information, making their schemes seem all the more convincing. This raises a pressing question: how do these callers obtain our details in the first place?
One of the most troubling aspects of this issue is how easily these callers seem to acquire our mobile numbers, full names, and even details such as the city or town we live in.
Understandably, some people may have unknowingly exposed themselves by sharing too much information on social media. However, not everyone is reckless with their privacy. Many of us are careful about what we post online, yet we still find ourselves targeted.
Even more concerning is that elderly individuals — many of whom are not on social media platforms — also receive these calls. If they do not have an online footprint, how are their phone numbers and personal details ending up in the hands of these individuals? This raises serious concerns about data protection and privacy breaches.
Some believe that these details are being harvested from online registrations, mobile apps, or e-commerce platforms that require phone number verification.
Others fear a more troubling truth — that our data may be carelessly leaked or, worse, deliberately sold by unscrupulous entities. Data breaches have been reported in various sectors, from telecommunications to financial institutions, and in some cases, cybercriminals have gained access to massive databases of user information.
This situation becomes even more baffling because our telecommunications providers enforce strict guidelines for registering new mobile numbers. Whether for postpaid or prepaid services, users must submit their identification details before a SIM card can be activated. This system was designed to prevent the misuse of unregistered numbers and to ensure accountability.
So, if every mobile number used today is registered to a verified identity, how come these scam calls still flood our phones without any consequences?
How do scammers and spammers operate so freely? The situation is even more perplexing given the mandatory registration enforced by telecommunications providers, which ensures that every number is linked to an individual. Why, then, are the authorities finding it so challenging to track down and dismantle these perpetrators?
Are they exploiting loopholes using spoofed or unregistered numbers, or operating from jurisdictions beyond local enforcement reach? The persistence of these calls raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the accountability of service providers in curbing this growing menace.
While banks and financial institutions can trace every transaction down to the second, it seems baffling that telcos and law enforcement agencies struggle to track fraudulent callers. If our numbers are linked to our identities, shouldn’t it be easier to catch those behind these scams?
Spam calls are not just about the inconvenience of having to hang up repeatedly. The bigger issue is that these calls have become a major vehicle for fraud.
Almost every day, we hear heartbreaking stories of victims — many of them elderly — who have lost their hard-earned savings to scams.
Some have lost thousands, while others have been conned out of millions of ringgit.
Scammers often play the long game, meticulously deceiving their victims for months or even years, using intricate schemes to manipulate them into eventually transferring money. Others manage to dupe people with a single phone call, using fear tactics, impersonating government officials, or threatening legal action.
What is most frustrating is that despite numerous public awareness campaigns, scammers continue to succeed. It is not just the uneducated or uninformed who fall prey — educated professionals, business owners, and even IT-savvy individuals have been deceived.
So, what does this say about our system? It tells us that scammers are getting smarter, adapting their methods, and exploiting gaps in our security framework.
Or could it be that the perpetrators are using specialised software or devices to evade detection, effectively blocking authorities from tracking them?
Are our authorities and telco providers doing enough to combat this problem? Merely issuing warnings is not enough; we cannot rely solely on them to keep the public vigilant.
Whatever the reasons, concrete actions should be taken to address the issue at hand. Our enforcement agencies must prove that they have the capability to track and dismantle these operations.
At the same time, there should be stricter laws to regulate how customer data is stored and protected.
To be fair to the public, it would be reasonable to mandate that companies handling personal data be held accountable for any breaches, with penalties severe enough to deter irresponsible data-sharing.
Telecommunication companies should also be more transparent about their security measures. If every mobile number is registered, why can’t they detect, flag, and block fraudulent numbers at an earlier stage? Why do these scam numbers remain active long enough to victimise so many people?
Telecommunications providers should also explore the possibility of international cooperation. It is learnt that many scam syndicates operate from outside the country, making it difficult for local law enforcement to act against them. Stronger collaboration between nations is essential to track and dismantle these global fraud networks.
In short, telco providers must step up their security measures, enforcement agencies should prioritise tracking these criminals, and data protection laws must be strictly enforced.
At the same time, the public must take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from falling prey to scammers.
First and foremost, they should ignore unknown numbers. If a call is important, the caller will leave a message or find an alternative way to reach them. Secondly, personal information should never be shared over the phone, and call-blocking apps should be used to filter out spam calls automatically.
It is also crucial to remember that banks, government agencies, and legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details like passwords or banking information over the phone.
Additionally, elderly family members should be educated on the dangers of scam calls. They should be advised never to entertain calls from strangers and to verify any requests with family members before taking action.
Lastly, scam calls should be reported immediately. While it may seem like a small step, each report helps authorities track and shut down scammers. Above all, mobile users must stay vigilant and informed — this is the best defence against falling victim to phone scams.
Spam calls have evolved from being a mere annoyance to a full-fledged security threat. They are no longer just a minor inconvenience; they pose a significant risk to financial security and privacy. If authorities fail to take stronger action, more people will continue to fall victim.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
