Over one billion telco scams have been blocked in the last year as a result industry rules to disrupt scam activity – including over 256 million scam calls and 85 million scam texts in the last quarter alone.
New data released by the Australia Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) today demonstrates that the Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS industry code is effective at reducing the ability of insidious scammers being able to target vulnerable Australians.
The Code requires SMS service providers to identify, trace and block suspected SMS scams, and to conduct checks on organisations using text-based sender IDs. Carriage service providers (CSPs) are required to report to the ACMA blocked scam calls and SMS during each quarter.
This quarter’s figure shows more scammers are being blocked than ever before, with 33 per cent more scam calls blocked than the previous quarter.
Australians reported at least $3.1 billion in scam losses in 2022, an 80 per cent increase on total losses recorded in 2021.
The Albanese Government is committed to disrupting scams and protecting Australians.
The May Budget included funding for the ACMA to design a new SMS Sender ID Registry to stop scammers spoofing trusted brand names – like Linkt or Australia Post – in text headers to deceive Australians.
The Government’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Anti-Scam Centre – led by the ACCC – launched on 1 July 2023, and brings together law enforcement, telecommunication providers, digital platforms and others to share scam intelligence, target priority scams and raise awareness.
