Call Labelling Requirement Drastically Reduces Fraud Calls
Over 75 Percent Drop in Fake Authority Calls
Fraudulent calls impersonating Swiss authorities have significantly decreased. The call labelling requirement for calls from abroad that spoof a Swiss number is proving effective. Since its introduction, the number of reported cases has sharply declined.
Perpetrators impersonate police officers, public prosecutors, or bank employees on the phone. They claim a relative caused an accident or that an urgent payment is necessary. By manipulating caller ID, an official Swiss number appears on the display – even though the call actually originates from an overseas call center. This scam caused significant financial damage for years, especially to elderly people.
The Fake Authority Call Scam
The so-called "shock call" is particularly insidious. Perpetrators primarily call elderly people, pretending that their daughter or son has had a serious accident. They demand bail for the relative's freedom. Victims are often pressured into making five-figure transfers. Fake police officers also demand cash or valuables for safekeeping in alleged investigations. The callers appear surprisingly authentic because they know details from the victims' lives, which they have researched from social media or phone directories.
The fraud scheme is not new. However, the authorities' response is. Telecom providers in Switzerland are obliged to label calls that arrive from abroad but spoof a domestic number. The display then shows a notice such as «Abroad» or «Number not trustworthy». This makes the fraud immediately recognizable to the recipients.
How the Call Labelling Requirement Works
The call labelling requirement directly affects the caller ID of telecom providers. If a call originates from a foreign network, even though the displayed number is a Swiss one, the call is automatically marked. Recipients therefore see before answering that the call is not from Switzerland. The implementation is coordinated by the Federal Office of Communications. Network operators have progressively established the technical prerequisites.
The effect is visible in the figures. According to reports from the responsible authorities, reported fraud calls have decreased by over 75 percent. The total amount of damage has also significantly reduced. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) describes the call labelling requirement as one of the most effective instruments against phone fraud. Previously, numerous cantons were affected, with elderly people repeatedly being pressured into handing over large sums of money.
Over 75 Percent Decline
Experts do not attribute the success solely to the call labelling requirement. Intensive public awareness campaigns also contributed. Police and the Swiss Crime Prevention (SCP) campaigns educate about the scams. The security tips are available in multiple languages and are distributed through municipalities, banks, and pharmacies. More and more people simply hang up or end the conversation early.
Key rules for dealing with suspicious calls:
- Hang up if someone on the phone claims to be an authority and demands money.
- Dial the official number of the authority yourself and inquire.
- Never transfer money to unknown persons or deposit cash.
- Talk to relatives about such calls, especially elderly people.
Nevertheless, experts warn against premature complacency. Scammers adapt their methods. Specialists, including the NCSC and cantonal police forces, observe that fraudsters increasingly use calls via the internet, which do not fall under the labelling requirement. Social manipulation via SMS and messenger services is also on the rise. Real Swiss numbers from disposable mobile phones are less frequently abused but are not ruled out. The police advise being suspicious of unknown messages as well.
Authorities intend to further develop the regulation. As part of its evolution, measures such as stronger blocking of calls from specific high-risk countries and international cooperation are being considered, as call centers are often located abroad. Phone fraud remains a police priority. The cantonal police forces focus on prevention and education – the call labelling requirement is a key component in this.
