Telenor blocked 18 million fraudulent calls in July

Telenor reported a massive surge in digital criminal activity during the first half of 2026, blocking a total of 1.4 billion unsafe websites and criminal attempts. A significant spike in fraudulent phone calls occurred in July, with the company blocking over 18 million scam calls in that month alone. This figure is more than triple the 4.9 million calls blocked during the entire April–June period.

Birgitte Engebretsen, CEO of Telenor Norway, noted that fraud attempts against Norwegians have remained high for several years and warned that criminal methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Common tactics identified include phishing—often involving impersonation of the police, parking companies, or AutoPass—as well as the use of fake websites and malware designed to steal sensitive information or damage systems.

According to Telenor, 624 customers utilized the company’s fraud insurance to receive legal assistance after falling victim to digital crime. The company also highlighted a lack of awareness among users, noting that one in four respondents in a survey felt they lacked sufficient knowledge to protect themselves against digital crime.