Russians to Be Able to Block International Calls Under New Anti-Fraud Law
President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation allowing residents to place a voluntary block on incoming international calls as part of a broader package of anti-cyberfraud measures.
President Vladimir Putin has approved a package of measures aimed at protecting Russians from cyber fraud. Among them is the option for individuals to place a voluntary block on incoming international calls, which will then be rejected automatically. Lawmakers say the measure is intended to improve public safety because most fraudulent calls targeting Russian citizens originate outside the country.
The voluntary block can be activated either through the Gosuslugi (State Services) portal or at a Multifunctional Center (MFTs). However, lifting the restriction through an MFTs office will require an in-person visit.
Another safeguard introduced by the legislation is a "red button" on the Gosuslugi (State Services) portal. If users believe they are being targeted by fraudsters, they can press the button to report the suspected scam. This will trigger a cooling-off period for significant account- and financial-related operations while simultaneously notifying law enforcement authorities.
