Ofcom is planning to increase the protection against consumer relating to telephone scammers.

In its review of the UK National Telephone Numbering Plan, it proposes to deny the allocation of telephone numbers to providers who have previously abused consumer trust through telephone scams.

"As it stands, we are legally obliged to allocate numbers upon requests from companies, despite past performance of the subscriber," said an Ofcom spokesman.

"We currently have no power to stop telephone scammers getting a new number and continuing to abuse consumers' trust. But under the new proposals we could deny this," he said.

If implemented, it would give Ofcom powers that would effectively put a stop to rogue operators setting up new numbers to continue running scams.

Ofcom is also seeking to adapt its telephone numbering framework. It has long been recognised that telephone numbers are a limited resource, despite the growing number of demands being made upon them.

It proposes the creation of a countrywide 03 number, which would be charged at the same rate as a geographic number, and to replace 070 personal numbers with 060 numbers.

It said this would be useful as many consumers confuse 070 numbers with mobile numbers, again increasing the potential of abuse and scams.

Simplifying the structure of 08 numbers, whereupon numbers would be banded according to price, is another suggestion. A number beginning with 082 would be charged at a lower rate compared to a number beginning 089.

Premium rate numbers beginning with 09 would also be structured in this way.

Ofcom is seeking comments from the general public as well as industry experts by May 4, so check their website for ways to contact them.