Australian Telecommunications Alliance Welcomes TIO Recommendations to Protect Consumers Against Fraud

Sydney, 24 November 2021 – Australian Telecommunications Alliance welcomes the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s (TIO) recent report highlighting measures to help further protect phone and internet consumers and accounts from fraudsters.

The report also notes the suite of measures put into place by the telecommunications industry in recent years to combat fraud and scams, including:

• the registered and enforceable Reducing Scam Calls industry Code;
• ongoing work by Australian Telecommunications Alliance members to combat SMS-based scams;
• the Existing Customer Authentication Industry Code, (recently submitted to the ACMA for consideration for registration); and
• the industry’s Mobile Number Pre-Porting Verification guideline, which was converted into a Standard in 2020.

Australian Telecommunications Alliance CEO, John Stanton said, “We welcome the TIO engaging with this topic. Combating the rising scourge of scams and fraud is a challenge that requires all parties to be vigilant and to assist consumers where possible.

“Telcos are continually improving their practices to keep up with the ever-changing tactics of fraudsters. It is important that we do not become complacent and remind our customers to protect their personal information, offline as much as online.”

ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE

Australian Telecommunications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.

Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.

The prime mission of Australian Telecommunications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.

Media information contact:
info@austelco.org.au