NCC to Implement Hidden Number Voice Alerts for Mobile and Landline Calls to Combat Scams

(Central News Agency, Reporter Chao Min-ya, Taipei, July 1) To prevent scams using hidden number calls, the National Communications Commission (NCC) announced that it has directed the three major telecommunications operators to implement voice alerts for hidden number calls starting today. When the public receives a call from a hidden number, they will first hear a voice alert in Mandarin and Taiwanese, reminding them to be vigilant.

The NCC issued a press release explaining that to counter fraud groups exploiting hidden number calls for scams, it has guided the three major telecommunications operators to implement voice alerts for hidden number calls starting today. When mobile users receive a call from a hidden number, they will first hear an alert voice, including a Mandarin reminder "This is a hidden number call, please pay attention" and a Taiwanese warning "This is a no-number call, be careful."

The NCC pointed out that the voice alert immediately reminds the public to be vigilant. Considering communication convenience, users can press any key during the playback to skip the alert, achieving the goal of "reducing misjudgment" in scam prevention without affecting communication quality.

The NCC stated that starting in March, it required the three major telecommunications operators to pilot voice alerts for hidden number mobile users. Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Mobile successively launched these alerts from March to June. During the pilot period, the system operated smoothly, and no negative feedback was received from the public, indicating that the measure has considerable acceptability and feasibility for full implementation.

The NCC noted that statistics from the Ministry of the Interior's Criminal Investigation Bureau show that after implementing measures such as "real-time blocking of abnormal calls" and the latest "mobile receiving end voice alert" for hidden number calls, the number of hidden number scam cases has decreased from a peak of 93 cases per week in July last year to single digits in May and June this year.

The NCC explained that considering that criminal methods might shift to landline phones, it has decided to expand the protective net by directing Chunghwa Telecom to implement a voice alert mechanism for landline receiving ends, thereby comprehensively covering incoming calls from hidden numbers whether received on a mobile phone or a landline.

The NCC stated that considering that some agencies need to make calls using hidden numbers, and to avoid affecting the connection rate, it has required the three major telecommunications operators to launch a whitelist function for the calling end. Currently, only government agencies and units approved by NCC special projects can apply. When a number approved for the whitelist makes a hidden number call, the voice alert will not be triggered. For receiving end users who do not wish to hear the hidden number voice alert due to personal needs, they can apply to their telecommunications operator at any time. (Editor: Lin Chia-hsien) 1150701

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