A new SMS anti-scam measure is making it easier for people to identify SMS messages from legitimate senders and avoid potential scams.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched the SMS Sender ID Register, designed to help reduce SMS scam messages that impersonate trusted organisations such as banks, delivery services, government entities and retailers.
Sender IDs are the names that appear at the top of a text message from businesses or organisations, showing who the message is from (e.g. 'AusPost').
From 1 July, messages using unregistered branded sender IDs will be labelled 'Unverified'-giving people a clear warning to pause before responding or clicking on links.
The Register aims to make it harder for scammers to impersonate well-known organisations, while helping people feel more confident that SMS messages they receive with a branded sender ID are genuine.
Businesses and organisations that use SMS sender IDs are encouraged to register these with their provider to avoid disruption to their communications.
