Comreg 'considering intervention in mobile calls scam'

The Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg) is considering banning calls to and from certain sub-Saharan countries.

It comes after the re-emergence of a scam in which mobile customers can have their call credit stolen.

The Irish Examiner reported today that the telecoms watchdog has received complaints in recent days after customers began receiving phone calls, usually with a +23 9 prefix.

Anyone receiving such a call who is not a bill-pay customer, and rings back the number, can have their credit depleted.

It is believed the calls are coming from obscure locations, including the small island of São Tomé and Príncipe off the west coast of Africa.

Consumers are being advised not to answer or return missed calls to unknown foreign phone numbers.