New ACMA rules set to protect Australians from SMS scams

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has today registered new rules that will protect Australians against SMS scams.

 

The Australian Government has welcomed the rules, which will require all telecommunications providers to identify, trace and block SMS scams. They also require providers to publish information to assist their customers to proactively manage and report SMS scams, to share information about scam messages with other mobile providers and report identified scams to authorities.

 

The new rules have been developed by the telecommunications industry peak body, Communications Alliance, following a period of consultation with telecommunications providers.

 

It takes scammers an average of 7 days from the initial theft of personal and account information for criminals to commit multiple identity crimes with that information.

 

Australians lost more than $2B to scams in 2021, according to the ACCC.

 

This change will take a step toward protecting Australians, their identity and their money, and disrupt the business model of scammers.

 

These rules follow separate new anti-scam rules that came into force on 30 June 2022, requiring telecommunication providers to use multi-factor authentification before approving high-risk customer transactions, including SIM swap.

 

Providers will face penalties of up to $250,000 for breaching ACMA directions to comply with the rules.

 

For more information, visit https://www.acma.gov.au/phone-scams

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“Most Australians have either received a scam text message, or know someone who has, and know how easy it can be to fall into the trap.



"These new rules aim to disrupt scammers’ business models, which will help to protect vulnerable Australians against scammers accessing their bank account, social media and online businesses.”

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP:

"Scammers know there is a new cop on the beat with the election of the Albanese Government.



We promised consumers and small businesses we'd do more to protect them from this kind of nefarious activity and today's announcement is just the first step in fulfilling our commitment."

 

TUESDAY, 12 JULY 2022