#Finland #Helsinki #Elisa #Caller ID #Scam Calls

Finnish Innovation Against Scam Calls

In a remarkable initiative, Finland has emerged as a pioneer in combatting the pervasive issue of scam calls, with the telecom operator Elisa leading the charge. Every year, fraudulent calls cause an estimated €850 million in losses globally, a figure that has prompted numerous countries to seek solutions. However, Finland's approach has not only minimized the impact locally but is now being celebrated as a model for other nations to emulate.

The journey began with Elisa's groundbreaking development of a technology that effectively identifies and blocks caller ID spoofing. This ingenious method ensures that criminals can no longer misuse Finnish phone numbers for their scams. According to Karri Jäkkö, Director of Elisa's Cybersecurity and Service Management Center, the initiative has largely removed one of the most common types of scams, known as "technical support scams," which were predominantly executed from overseas.

By the end of 2023, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) mandated that Elisa's scam call blocking solution be implemented throughout the country, ensuring widespread adoption of this innovative technology. Since its rollout, the operator has successfully blocked nearly 26 million scam calls, marking a significant victory in the fight against fraud.

Elisa’s success received a significant boost when it was awarded a patent for its solution in both Finland and Europe. The company's relentless efforts have led to a drastic reduction in criminals' profits, plummeting from €7 million annually to a mere few thousand euros within a short span. This financial shift has made Finland an unattractive target for scammers, demonstrating the effectiveness of Elisa's strategies.

Recognition and Expansion of the Initiative

The Finnish initiative has attracted international attention and was recently nominated for the prestigious European Crime Prevention Award. This accolade will be presented on November 28, during the EUCPN Best Practice Conference, further solidifying Finland’s leadership in the fight against scam calls. Domestically, their achievements were also recognized at the Rikoksentorjuntakilpailu, a crime prevention competition held in Finland.

The model developed in Finland is increasingly being referenced by Europol as a reference point for best practices in scam prevention. The agency has highlighted the urgent need for other European nations to adopt unified technical standards, along with stronger cross-border cooperation to effectively combat the issue of scam calls.

Elisa's innovative solutions have garnered interest from foreign operators, reflecting the growing global desire to implement similar measures. Jäkkö emphasizes that the prevention of scams is an ongoing battle, necessitating continuous development to stay one step ahead of criminals.

Beyond handling caller ID spoofing, Elisa has expanded its scope to address various forms of scams. Since implementing their scam call blocking technology, the organization has also introduced measures to prevent calls from unknown foreign numbers and mitigate the impact of scam text messages. In partnership with Traficom, they have developed a solution that blocks fraudulent messages that attempt to impersonate registered organizations, significantly enhancing consumer protection.

Milestones in Elisa's Scam Prevention Efforts

• - 2020: Elisa initiated preventive measures against "wangiri" scam calls, which involve missed calls intended to induce costly callbacks.
• - 2021: The company developed a solution specifically designed to block number spoofing, eliminating the misuse of Finnish phone numbers.
• - 2023: The scam call blocking solution became a nationwide requirement per Traficom’s directive, ensuring all operators within Finland adopted the technology.
• - 2024: Elisa tackled scam text messages by blocking communications from registered organizations that had been targeted by fraudsters.
• - 2025: The company introduced new consumer mobile subscription security features, including a secure authentication service and tools to prevent exposure to malicious websites.
• - July 2025: Elisa expanded their capabilities to allow users to block all incoming calls from abroad, leveraging their patented technology.

Conclusion

The Finnish example of combating scam calls showcases the power of innovative technology and collaborative efforts between government and industry stakeholders. As more countries look to Finland for guidance, it's clear that a proactive and technically sound approach can lead to substantial reductions in fraud and improved consumer protection. Elisa’s experience serves not only as a national success story but as a compelling blueprint for other nations grappling with the same issue. As Jäkkö aptly notes, the battle against scammers is ongoing, and Finland is committed to continuous innovation in safeguarding its citizens.