The increase in fraudulent activities is a growing concern, with numerous individuals falling victim to scams. Recent data reveals that significant amounts of money are lost daily in the UK due to cybercriminals employing various deceptive methods to extract sensitive information from people. To combat this trend, EE has unveiled an enhanced version of its Scam Guard service, aimed at thwarting a higher number of attacks directed at mobile phones.
This updated feature is accessible to all EE pay-monthly mobile subscribers for a monthly fee of £2, offering an added layer of security for those who are anxious about potential threats.
While this may seem like an additional expense amidst already costly bills, EE assures that it delivers significantly improved protection to its users.
Since its initial launch in 2024, EE claims that the Scam Guard service has successfully blocked 169 million scam and spam attempts.
With the upgraded version of Scam Guard set to roll out over the next year, EE anticipates that the new iteration will prevent at least double the number of scams.
So, what functionalities does it offer and how does it operate?
At the core of the enhanced Scam Guard is the AI Triple-Lock Protection, a combination of three digital security elements powered by Norton’s Genie AI engine, designed to safeguard customers.
These components include Safe Email, which delivers proactive scam protection for email accounts round the clock. Additionally, Safe SMS utilizes advanced AI to identify complex scams in text messages, ensuring real-time protection and peace of mind for users when checking their messages. Safe Web is another feature that employs AI to shield customers against online scams while shopping or browsing, preemptively blocking malicious websites to prevent harm.
The new Scam Guard upgrade from EE also introduces the Scam Assistant tool, enabling customers to upload screenshots of texts, emails, websites, social media messages, or QR codes to receive immediate advice on their safety. Moreover, the service includes Social Media Monitoring and Dark Web Monitoring to detect suspicious activities across a customer’s online presence, issuing prompt notifications for timely action.
Commenting on the enhancement, Malcolm Cubitt, Director of Product, Mobile, EE, stated: “Fraud rates in the UK are soaring, with AI technology making scams increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect. As these threats evolve, we are continuously adapting as the leading network in the UK—constantly exploring new and innovative ways to safeguard and assist our customers. This commitment includes spearheading industry collaborations, investing in network-level controls, and employing a dedicated team of security specialists. With our newly enhanced Scam Guard service, we are now offering customers an elevated level of cybersecurity protection.”
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