site.btaRegulator, Mobile Operators Take Aim at Surge in Caller ID Spoofing Scams

The Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) and mobile operators will jointly combat a rise in caller ID spoofing scams, the regulator said on Friday.

The initiative involves the three mobile operators holding nationwide licences, A1 Bulgaria, Vivacom and Yettel Bulgaria, as well as industry organizations.

Caller ID spoofing manipulates caller identification so that the recipient’s screen displays a phone number other than the one from which the call is made. Mobile operators analyze incoming calls and numbers used in scams to limit the harm to users of electronic communications services.

CRC, the operators and industry organizations are preparing a joint information campaign to raise consumer awareness. Mobile operators have also introduced technical and organizational measures to curb identified cases of phone-number misuse.

CRC noted that spoofing cannot be curbed simply by blocking numbers. Because of how international electronic communications networks operate and how signalling is exchanged between operators, technical measures cannot prevent every instance of spoofed caller identification.

In May 2025, CRC required mobile operators to strengthen network security after service disruptions at Vivacom and A1 Bulgaria. The regulator also planned talks on guidelines for preventing similar incidents and amendments to the General Requirements governing providers.