- VodafoneThree blocks 25% more bank fraud notifications since August 2025
- Barclays collaboration leverages shared intelligence
- More banks will be added later
VodafoneThree says it has blocked more than two million fraudulent bank text messages since August 2025 using a new proof of concept to prevent scam texts from reaching customers from banks participating in its scheme.
Initially a collaborative effort between the network provider, Barclays, the Mobile Ecosystem Forum and the Cyber Defense Alliance, the trial is also to be extended across The Co-operative Bank and TSB.
According to the newly conglomerated mobile network, the trial delivered a healthy 25% increase in the number of bank fraud messages blocked.
VodafoneThree and participating banks can block even more fraudulent texts
The solution adds bank-specific registration rules to VodafoneThree’s existing SMS firewall to improve registration accuracy and ensure legitimate messages reach customers. Rather than introducing an entirely new system, this collaborative upgrade makes it cheaper and highly efficient for participating banks by using existing shared intelligence.
Banking links aside, VodafoneThree says it blocked more than 139 million fraudulent SMS messages across its entire network during 2025, indicating a growing problem. Barclays also noted that APP fraud from SMS attacks increased by around 40% year-on-year in 2025.
“We work closely with banks, government, law enforcement and industry partners to stay ahead of the curve and develop our capabilities as quickly as fraudsters change their tactics,” said Rachel Andrews, director of Corporate Security and Fraud.
Currently, fraud accounts for almost half (44%) of all crime in the UK, but with so many groups and attackers, attack vectors and other variables, VodafoneThree says a more collaborative approach is needed.
“Protecting our customers’ money and data is our highest priority. With reports of APP fraud originating from SMS increasing by around 40% in 2025 compared to 2024, it is vital that we continue to work together to stay ahead of emerging threats,” added Paul Davis, Head of Financial Crime, Barclays.
“By sharing intelligence across banks, telcos and industry bodies, we can help stop suspicious messages before they reach customers, while ensuring our customers still receive genuine messages from us. VodafoneThree’s work is a powerful example of how collective action can help tackle fraud at source and better protect consumers.”
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