Aussie government to fully launch the SMS ID Registry soon
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In the digital age, mobile phones have become a significant part of many people's lives.
It's no surprise that scammers target people through our phones to trick them out of their hard-earned cash.
Because of this, the government decided to step up its game to protect Aussies from nefarious fraudsters with an upcoming initiative.
The Albanese government announced a $10 million investment into a new SMS sender ID register.
This robust system should protect Australians from the onslaught of scam text messages impersonating banks, government services, and other reputable companies.
According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), this move was part of a strategy to make Australia 'the toughest target in the world for scammers'.
Companies have to register their official SMS sender IDs on the national register administered by ACMA.
Text messages go through the said register for verification first.
If the message does not match an ID on the register, it will be blocked.
It may also come with a warning label, alerting recipients that it could be a scam.
Talks about the SMS ID registry started last year, after telecommunication networks Sinch and Infobip were found to have allowed non-compliant SMS messages.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has emphasised the importance of this register, as it could play a 'crucial role in disrupting the business model of scammers'.
According to statistics dating back to July 2022, Australian telcos have already blocked more than 668.3 million scam SMS messages.
The government's Scam Watch website also warned that these scams often disguise themselves as official government and business communications or even family and friends.
The full register should be open for Sender ID registration by late 2025.
However, a pilot register is already in operation with the cooperation of central banks and financial institutions like the National Australian Bank, the Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
In the meantime, everyone must stay vigilant when it comes to text messages.
The SMS ID register is a significant step forward in protecting our digital lives, but it's also a reminder that we must remain proactive in safeguarding our information.
Be sceptical of unsolicited messages, especially ones asking for personal information or directing you to click on a link.
If in doubt, contact the company or institution directly using a verified phone number or website.
Have you ever received a suspicious text message recently? How did you handle it? Share your stories and thoughts about the register in the comments below!
It's no surprise that scammers target people through our phones to trick them out of their hard-earned cash.
Because of this, the government decided to step up its game to protect Aussies from nefarious fraudsters with an upcoming initiative.
The Albanese government announced a $10 million investment into a new SMS sender ID register.
This robust system should protect Australians from the onslaught of scam text messages impersonating banks, government services, and other reputable companies.
According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), this move was part of a strategy to make Australia 'the toughest target in the world for scammers'.
Identifying and filtering through scam text messages should be easier once the registry gets rolled out. Image Credit: Pexels/Kaboompics.com
Companies have to register their official SMS sender IDs on the national register administered by ACMA.
Text messages go through the said register for verification first.
If the message does not match an ID on the register, it will be blocked.
It may also come with a warning label, alerting recipients that it could be a scam.
Talks about the SMS ID registry started last year, after telecommunication networks Sinch and Infobip were found to have allowed non-compliant SMS messages.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has emphasised the importance of this register, as it could play a 'crucial role in disrupting the business model of scammers'.
According to statistics dating back to July 2022, Australian telcos have already blocked more than 668.3 million scam SMS messages.
The government's Scam Watch website also warned that these scams often disguise themselves as official government and business communications or even family and friends.
The full register should be open for Sender ID registration by late 2025.
However, a pilot register is already in operation with the cooperation of central banks and financial institutions like the National Australian Bank, the Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
In the meantime, everyone must stay vigilant when it comes to text messages.
The SMS ID register is a significant step forward in protecting our digital lives, but it's also a reminder that we must remain proactive in safeguarding our information.
Be sceptical of unsolicited messages, especially ones asking for personal information or directing you to click on a link.
If in doubt, contact the company or institution directly using a verified phone number or website.
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