The use of text messages as a means of communication has been deemed “flawed” by experts, yet they continue to be widely used. This situation has led to concerns regarding fraudulent activities, which could easily be avoided if corporations refrained from using this broken medium altogether. Richard Emery, founder of fraud investigation firm 4Keys, has called on Ofcom, the regulator, to impose strict rules on telecoms companies to block scam texts that impersonate banks and other reputable organizations.
Currently, mobile operators self-regulate through a voluntary agreement, without the involvement of Ofcom. However, voluntary agreements that rely on investments seldom have the desired impact. It is estimated that the mobile industry’s initiative, known as “SMS PhishGuard,” offers protection to over 130 bank and government brands. Unfortunately, the specific names on the protected list have not been disclosed to the public.
In response to the rising number of text scams, the Home Secretary has pledged to take action, promising to deploy spies to track down scammers. Additionally, the Government aims to ban “sim farms,” devices capable of sending out thousands of scam texts simultaneously. The use of mass texting services will also undergo review to prevent criminals from exploiting the technology.
Various banks, including Barclays, NatWest, and HSBC, have emphasized the importance of protecting customer information. However, HSBC acknowledges that number spoofing, a technique used by scammers, poses a significant risk to consumers and requires a collaborative effort involving telcos, mobile network operators, internet service providers, and social media companies.
Santander has joined an industry initiative dedicated to preventing number spoofing. On the other hand, TSB declined to comment, and Nationwide and Lloyds did not respond to requests for comment.
The Telegraph is interested in hearing from individuals who have been targeted by scammers. Please email [email protected]
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