Nowadays, attacks by "cybercriminals "are a common phenomenon. One type of attack targets mobile phone numbers. Through this attack, attackers can gain access to data stored on the mobile phone, such as personal and financial information. As part of an effort to reduce telephone scams, the government Australian
Under the new rules, companies will have to add two-factor authentication when mobile phone numbers are ported from one provider to another. This process can involve entering a code on a website or replying to a text message.
These verification measures, before transferring a number to another provider, are already in place at some of Australia's major telecommunications companies. Some of them are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. However, this is not enough. The government estimates that there are about a million servicesthat do not use these methods and therefore do not protect their customers.
“The government expects all telecommunications providers to follow the rules. I want all Australians to be confident that all companies have strong verification processes in place to stop fraudulent number porting and the devastating consequences it can have for victims ”Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said.
“This is the reason why I gave official direction to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for the establishment of new rules that require stronger identity verification processes before mobile phone numbers are transferred. The entire industry must implement these rules, otherwise companies that do not provide protection (and their customers) will become targets of fraudsters».
Telecom companies have until April 2020to comply with the new rules. The ACMA will conduct audits of all providers to ensure they are compliant.
ACMA member Fiona Cameron supported the government's decision. In a statement, she said that these scams should be avoided because they can have devastating consequences for victims. Attackers can steal personal and financial data, such as bank accounts, emails, social media passwords, etc.
The new rules are part of the Scam Technology Project, which was launched by the ACMA last December. The aim of the project was to work with telecommunications providers to create technology solutions that would tackle fraud (e.g. mobile phone number fraud).
