Steps to protect islanders against phone scammers

A regulator in Jersey has launched a call for information as part of efforts to strengthen protections against telephone scams.

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) said the move formed part of a wider review into phone numbers on the island with a view to making it more closely aligned to the UK's approach.

It said Jersey phone numbers were now allocated and managed by Ofcom after the Government of Jersey amended the Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002.

It added access to the numbering scheme, controlled by Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan (NTNP), established conditions for telecoms providers on the use of certain number ranges.

The call for information would be open until 10 July 2026.

JCRA said responses would "help shape the next phase of the JCRA's numbering review, including potential updates to licence conditions and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ofcom."

The conditions included freephone, premium rate and helplines and the JCRA has sought views on if this should apply in Jersey or whether there is a justifiable reason to exempt some.

The regulatory body said the legal change presented it with an opportunity to look more widely at the existing framework of rules.

It said in recent years there had been a considerable increase in the misuse of numbers, with scam callers trying to persuade people to hand over financial or personal details.

Tim Ringsdore, JCRA chief executive, said: "The amendment to Jersey's telecoms law provides clarity and certainty around the allocation of telephone numbers, but it also presents an opportunity for us to review how numbering is regulated locally.

"We want to understand whether any parts of the UK NTNP may need to be adapted for Jersey, and we encourage all interested parties to share their views."

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