In 2022, Ireland recorded an alarming average of 1,000 fraud cases per day linked to scam calls and texts, with the total societal cost conservatively estimated at approximately EUR 309 million annually.
The Irish Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has actively looked into the matter, proposing measures to be implemented by voice providers to help mitigate the risks and protect users. As part of the efforts, ComReg recently launched a new SMS Sender ID Protection Registry aimed at reducing fraud through SMS spoofing.
The registry, which was launched in May 2025, allows legitimate organisations to register their SMS Sender IDs. Participating mobile service providers and messaging aggregators will use the registry to detect and block messages sent from unregistered or spoofed sender IDs. From 3 July 2025, messages sent by organisations using unregistered sender IDs will be marked “Likely Scam”, and from 3 October 2025, such messages will be blocked entirely from delivery to Irish consumers.
Person-to-Person messages sent from phone numbers or SMS short codes are not covered by the recently announced measures.
This measure will hopefully help users distinguish between legitimate senders and scammers, and ultimately only allow registered organisations to originate SMS. The move matches similar policies in other countries, demonstrating that scam calls and texts are a growing, global issue. As sophistication in fraudulent calls and messages continues to evolve, consumer education and prevention are key public policy issues that should also be considered.
Access Partnership supports clients in navigating the complexities of telecommunications regulations and the conditions for providing innovative services through expert analysis and strategic guidance. To find out more about how our dedicated Regulatory Strategy & Market Access experts can help you adapt to evolving requirements, please contact Chrystel Erotokritou [email protected] or Juliana Ramirez [email protected].
