TIO pushes for mandatory scams SMS ID Registry

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has made a submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, supporting the introduction of a mandatory SMS ID registry to address the rising threat of scams.

The submission addresses the Department’s proposal to introduce a registry for alphanumeric sender IDs (a sender ID that is a word, rather than a phone number). Scammers often adopt an alphanumeric sender ID to impersonate common brands to mislead consumers.

The submission explains that the TIO handles complaints about scams when the complaint relates to the actions (or inaction) of a telco provider who is a member of scheme.

The TIO’s position is that a mandatory registry would ensure consumers receive a greater level of protection from scammers impersonating legitimate brands.

Read the TIO submission (PDF, 343KB)