Truecaller Protects Households from Scam Calls - New Feature

Truecaller Introduces Family Scam Protection

In response to escalating fraud attempts targeting entire households, Truecaller, the Swedish-based company, has unveiled a new scam-protection feature. This expansion signifies a broadening of Truecaller’s capabilities beyond its traditional caller ID service.

Introducing Family Protection

The newly launched feature, known as Family Protection, enables up to five individuals to join a unified family group. One member assumes the role of administrator, responsible for managing scam-blocking configurations for all others within the group.

Initially, the Family Protection feature is being implemented as a pilot program for users of both Android and iOS platforms in Sweden, Chile, Malaysia, and Kenya.

Empowering Tech-Savvy Family Members

Truecaller designed this feature to allow the most digitally proficient member of a household to oversee and manage scam controls on behalf of family members who may be less comfortable with technology.

Administrator Capabilities on Android

For Android users, the designated family administrator can receive notifications during potentially fraudulent calls. They can also view essential device information, such as battery status, and remotely terminate calls identified as scams.

The Rise of Scam Activity Globally

Worldwide, scam activity is experiencing a significant increase, coinciding with growing internet access. This surge is particularly pronounced in emerging markets where new smartphone users and older adults are more susceptible to fraudulent schemes.

Countries like India have witnessed a notable rise in impersonation attempts and complex, multi-stage scams that exploit a lack of digital literacy. Truecaller intends to address this issue with its new feature, with plans for expansion into key regions, including India, during the first quarter of 2026.

Shifting Scam Tactics

According to Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala, scammers are increasingly shifting their focus from individual targets to entire households. These schemes often involve a series of calls, text messages, missed call tactics, and impersonation attempts aimed at identifying a vulnerable family member.

This evolving trend was the catalyst for the development of the multi-user protection system.

Availability and Premium Benefits

Family Protection is currently available to all users as a complimentary feature. However, upgrading to a Premium Family plan grants the administrator, and all family members, an ad-free experience, enhanced spam protection, and automatic blocking of high-risk calls.

Truecaller’s Scale and Data

Boasting a global user base exceeding 450 million, Truecaller identifies approximately 63 million scam attempts daily. This allows the company to monitor changes in fraud tactics in real-time.

Furthermore, the Truecaller community reports around 166 million spam calls each day, creating a substantial dataset of phone-based fraud activity worldwide.

Competition and Adaptation in India

Truecaller is facing increased competition in India, its largest market, as the government initiates trials of a Caller Name Presentation system. This system will display the name registered with telecom providers on incoming calls.

In response to these regulatory and market shifts, Truecaller is proactively adding features beyond caller ID, such as Family Protection, to maintain its relevance in India and other crucial markets.

Strengthening Family Safety

“Family Protection allows the attentiveness of one individual to bolster the security of up to five family members,” stated Jhunjhunwala. The company’s objective is to broaden protection without imposing additional burdens on users.