Huge success! Find out how telcos have blocked a staggering one billion scam calls and texts from reaching us!
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Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to deceive and target vulnerable Australians–but fortunately, telco service providers are also upping their efforts to block them from reaching our phones.
New Australian Communication and Media Authority data has revealed that telcos have blocked over a billion scams in the last financial year! This includes a 33 per cent increase in the number of blocked scams in the second quarter of this year–that’s 256 million calls and 85 million texts blocked, nearly double the amount blocked in the first quarter of 2023!
Australia’s Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that the incredible progress in blocking these malicious scams could be attributed to a strengthened Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS industry code. Telcos are now required to identify, trace, and block suspected SMS scams and conduct checks on organisations using text-based sender IDs.
And it’s a relief that these scams have not reached their intended targets, as Australians reported a staggering $3.1bn in financial losses due to scams in 2022, which is an 80 per cent increase from the previous year–making it even more important to protect vulnerable Australians from scams.
To drive down this incredible amount of scam texts and calls, the Australian Government has announced a number of precautions to protect our community.
The first is the creation of a new SMS Sender ID Registry, which will stop scammers from using trusted brand names. This may help combat 'spoof texts' from slipping into legitimate text streams and stealing personal data.
The government has also launched an ACCC-led National Anti Scam Centre, designed to bring together different service providers and law enforcement to target priority scams and share intelligence.
These are incredible steps taken to help safeguard and protect our friendly network of seniors. But most importantly, if you ever find yourself the target of a scam, please notify your bank or telco immediately!
Avoiding scams begins with recognising them and having a plan for what to do if you're targeted. It's crucial to keep yourself well-informed about the potential signs of fraudulent calls or texts and understand how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Should you receive a suspicious call or text message, the first and most important rule is–don't panic! Remember, caller ID is not foolproof–a local number doesn't always mean a local caller. Scammers have been known to clone phone numbers and mimic trusted organisations or individuals.
Be extra cautious if a call or text suddenly asks for personal or financial information. Authentic companies will never request sensitive data like passwords, PINs, or bank details, particularly through unsecured communication channels like phone calls or SMS.
Next, don't feel pressured or rushed into making any decisions. Scammers may create an artificial sense of urgency, claiming that swift action is required to prevent a negative outcome. Remember to take your time to discuss any demands or requests with trusted friends, family, or even your bank before responding.
While responding to suspicious contacts is generally discouraged, certain types of scams like the ‘yes scam’ aim to trick you into saying a particular word or phrase, which can later be taken out of context. Avoid engaging in conversation with potential scammers by simply hanging up the phone or ignoring the message.
With this extra line of defence, we can all contribute to a safer digital environment and frustrate the efforts of these increasingly cunning crooks.
If you have any tips on scam prevention or stories about scams, please share them with us in the comments below. Share this article with your friends and family too–and together, we can help keep our community safe!
Telcos have successfully doubled the number of blocked scam calls and texts in the second quarter of this year. Image source: Freepik.
Australia’s Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that the incredible progress in blocking these malicious scams could be attributed to a strengthened Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS industry code. Telcos are now required to identify, trace, and block suspected SMS scams and conduct checks on organisations using text-based sender IDs.
And it’s a relief that these scams have not reached their intended targets, as Australians reported a staggering $3.1bn in financial losses due to scams in 2022, which is an 80 per cent increase from the previous year–making it even more important to protect vulnerable Australians from scams.
To drive down this incredible amount of scam texts and calls, the Australian Government has announced a number of precautions to protect our community.
The first is the creation of a new SMS Sender ID Registry, which will stop scammers from using trusted brand names. This may help combat 'spoof texts' from slipping into legitimate text streams and stealing personal data.
The government has also launched an ACCC-led National Anti Scam Centre, designed to bring together different service providers and law enforcement to target priority scams and share intelligence.
These are incredible steps taken to help safeguard and protect our friendly network of seniors. But most importantly, if you ever find yourself the target of a scam, please notify your bank or telco immediately!
Steps to take when you receive a scam call or text
Avoiding scams begins with recognising them and having a plan for what to do if you're targeted. It's crucial to keep yourself well-informed about the potential signs of fraudulent calls or texts and understand how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Should you receive a suspicious call or text message, the first and most important rule is–don't panic! Remember, caller ID is not foolproof–a local number doesn't always mean a local caller. Scammers have been known to clone phone numbers and mimic trusted organisations or individuals.
Be extra cautious if a call or text suddenly asks for personal or financial information. Authentic companies will never request sensitive data like passwords, PINs, or bank details, particularly through unsecured communication channels like phone calls or SMS.
While responding to suspicious contacts is generally discouraged, certain types of scams like the ‘yes scam’ aim to trick you into saying a particular word or phrase, which can later be taken out of context. Avoid engaging in conversation with potential scammers by simply hanging up the phone or ignoring the message.
Lastly, maintaining a record of all suspicious calls or messages can be beneficial when reporting the scam to relevant bodies. You can do this by regularly checking our ScamWatch forum here or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Scamwatch website, a great resource for guidance on reporting scams and staying updated on emerging scam trends.
If you have any tips on scam prevention or stories about scams, please share them with us in the comments below. Share this article with your friends and family too–and together, we can help keep our community safe!
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