Huge number of scam calls, texts blocked: ‘Remain vigilant’

Telcos have blocked more than a billion phone and text scams over the past year. (Source: Getty/Australia Post/ACMA)

More than a billion scams have been blocked from Aussies’ phones in the past year, following the introduction of a new industry code to disrupt scam activity.

New data released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found more than 256 million scam calls and 85 million scam texts were blocked by telcos in the past quarter alone.

This was a 33 per cent increase in the total number of calls blocked in the previous quarter, sparing Aussies from more than 1.4 billion scam calls and 257 million scam texts in total for the year.

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Under the new code, telcos are required to identify, trace and block suspected SMS scams, and to conduct checks on organisations using text-based sender IDs. Carriage service providers are also required to report to the ACMA blocked scam calls and SMSs during each quarter.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said disrupting scammers was a whole-of-government and industry effort.

“These syndicates are sophisticated, and all Australians need to remain vigilant,” Rowland said.

“It’s pleasing to see that 1 billion telecommunications scams never met their intended target this past year.

“The Albanese government is committed to adapting to new scam threats, and that’s why we’ve funded a new SMS Sender ID Registry to combat spoof texts slipping into legitimate text streams and stealing personal data.”

The SMS Sender ID Registry is designed to stop scammers spoofing trusted brand names - such as Linkt and Australia Post - in text headers.

Aussies lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022, an 80 per cent increase on total losses recorded in the previous year.

Most common scams

Recent data from telco Vodafone revealed the most common types of scams targeting Aussies.

Here were the top 5:

1. Attempts to steal personal information - scammers try to trick recipients into handing over their banking or personal details

2. Unexpected money scams - scammers claim the recipient is entitled to money or another valuable asset but they need to make an upfront payment

3. Investment scams - scammers trick targets into fake investment opportunities

4. Fake goods - scammers create a fake online store or classified ad and pretend to sell products that don’t exist

5. Travel, prizes and lottery scams - scammers trick the recipient into giving money or personal details in return for a prize from a lottery, sweepstake or competition

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