Sure says the work it has carried out means phone lines will stay open for only a few seconds
Telecom company Sure is carrying out major work to help prevent its customers being defrauded.
Its system meant lines could be held open for up to two minutes - even after a caller had put down the receiver.
That left islanders vulnerable to phone scams, with fraudsters being able to intercept the open phone lines.
Until the service was opened to competition in June this year, Sure was the only supplier of fixed line services in the island.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been scammed out of people in Guernsey this year and the island's police have been working with Sure to resolve the issue.
How to avoid vishing scams
Never hand over your bank card, your PIN, card details or online/telephone banking log-in credentials
If you receive a call asking for your PIN, card details or online/telephone banking log-in credentials, end the call immediately
With any suspicious or unexpected call, always verify the caller using an independently-checked telephone number and, if possible, use a different phone line
Source: RBS
Sure says phone lines now remain open for just a few seconds - making it impossible for calls to be intercepted.
However, it is urging customers to continue to be vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity.
- Published13 February 2015
