Fight Against Scam Calls (Robocalls): A Collective Responsibility
As scam calls (robocalls) continue to proliferate, communication service providers (CSPs) are increasingly turning to advanced technologies to combat their impact on consumers. These deceptive tactics exploit vulnerabilities in communication networks, posing significant fraud risks to individuals' personal and financial security. To address this pressing issue, telecommunications companies are leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms, signaling intelligence, and real-time fraud threat intelligence to identify and block scam calls in real-time while safeguarding user privacy.
While every CSP is actively working to minimize the threat of scam calls, consumers also play a crucial role in protecting themselves from these fraudulent activities. Understanding common scam call types and how to recognize them empowers individuals to take proactive measures to avoid falling victim to different types of mobile fraud.
The responsibility for combating scam calls is a topic of ongoing debate within the telecommunications industry. Some argue that the terminating provider, being the final link between the caller and the recipient, should bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the security of their services. On the other hand, others contend that the originating provider, as the creator and distributor of the phone calls, should be held accountable, drawing parallels to product liability in other industries.
Amidst these differing perspectives on responsibility, it is evident that all entities involved in the global telecommunications ecosystem share a collective obligation to address the issue. For instance, In the US and Canada, regulators have mandated the use of STIR/SHAKEN technologies to flag and stop robocalls or spam calls reaching customers.
Financial institutions such as banks must also bolster their security authentication methods with the telecommunications service providers, particularly concerning OTPs (One-Time Passwords) sent via SMS, as scammers often exploit OTPs to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or initiating unauthorized transactions. In response to this threat, telecommunications institutions such as Telstra in Australia have been implementing advanced security measures to protect their customers from fraudulent activities involving OTPs.
Regulators in regions like Singapore are considering measures to hold telecommunication companies jointly liable with banks for frauds and scams to reduce the risks of scam SMS being delivered to consumers. This approach underscores the importance of telcos ensuring robust protections in their services to safeguard subscribers from exploitation. This collaborative effort between telcos and financial institutions is essential in combating the evolving tactics of scammers and protecting consumers from financial harm.
Regardless of their specific role in the chain, telecommunications companies, CSPs, regulators, and consumers must collaborate effectively to implement comprehensive strategies that safeguard against scam calls and uphold the integrity of telecommunications services.
Below are the FOUR prevalent telecommunications fraud types to be aware:
#1 Wangiri Fraud
"Wangiri" is a Japanese term which translates to "one ring and drop". It denotes a form of telephone fraud commonly known as a "missed call scam". The mobile fraud involves the scammer initiating multiple brief calls from a premium or international number, often just one or two rings, before hanging up. This triggers the recipient's curiosity or concern, prompting them to return the call, unaware that they're dialing a premium-rate number. These numbers charge exorbitant fees per minute, resulting in substantial costs for the victim, who only realizes the scam upon receiving their phone bill.
#2 Vishing (Voice phishing or VoIP phishing)
Vishing, a combination of "voice" and "phishing", is a type of telephone identity theft scam that leverages Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information. The alarming surge in vishing is underscored by the staggering $1.2 billion it extracted from victims in 2023. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like banks or government agencies, using automated voice messages or live callers to create a sense of urgency or fear. This manipulation exploits both technological vulnerabilities and psychological tactics to trick individuals into disclosing personal and financial data.
#3 International Scam Calls or Robocalls
Foreign robocalls inundate unsuspecting individuals with automated messages originating from international numbers. Despite regulatory efforts, these calls persistently deceive recipients by posing as legitimate entities or offering enticing rewards. Leveraging VoIP technology and caller ID spoofing, scammers can efficiently target a wide audience at minimal cost. Once answered, the automated messages prompt victims to provide personal information or follow specific instructions to claim fictitious rewards. This deceptive tactic preys on the trust and curiosity of recipients, ultimately leading to financial exploitation or identity theft on a global scale.
#4 Caller ID Spoofing scam / Neighbor Spoofing
Caller ID Spoofing, also known as Neighbor Spoofing, is a prevalent telecommunications scam that exploits the trust associated with familiar or local numbers. Similar to voice phishing, by manipulating caller ID information using sophisticated software, scammers make their calls appear to originate from trusted sources, increasing the likelihood of victims answering. Once engaged, fraudsters employ various tactics, such as impersonating reputable organizations or creating a sense of urgency, to elicit personal or financial information from unsuspecting individuals. This exploitation of trust and familiarity enables scammers to carry out their fraudulent activities, often resulting in significant financial losses or identity theft for the victims.
Real-time, Active Scam Calls / Robocalls Blocking And Alerting
It's evident that scammers are employing diverse and advanced tactics to deceive customers, with millions of scam calls occurring daily worldwide. To address this issue preemptively, CSPs must adopt a proactive stance, intercepting scam calls before they reach consumers rather than dealing with the aftermath. In this regard, real-time detection of suspected calls is imperative in these business operations.
Neural Technologies’s SCAMBlock solution is tailored to detect and block scam calls before they impact customers, thereby mitigating financial losses and safeguarding CSPs' reputations. SCAMBlock employs a multi-layered, comprehensive approach that evolves to counter evolving scam calls related threats and support real-time detection of scam calls. Through link and correlation analysis, it enables real-time fraud detection and suspicious activities, while its AI and machine learning algorithms continuously update the scam call profile, ensuring its adaptability to any situations.
Powered by end-to-end AI/ML, SCAMBlock stands as a proven network-based solution against scam calls, with its impressive features of:
>> Active Network-Embedded Call Blocking: Scam Call / Robocall / Wangiri protection and Compliance to US FCC Robocall Mandate
>> AI and Machine Learning-Based Detection: Multi-layered analytics model to analyze and identify new scam call / Wangiri call abuse behavior
>> Voice Announcement Alert or Caller ID Modification: Real-time, warning to subscribers to be aware of high scam risk
>> Personalized Blocklist or Allowlist: Allows subscribers to manage their incoming phone calls from specific countries
>> Real-time Dashboard and Reporting: Real-time updates of scam calls blocking and management
Find out more about our SCAMBlock solution or download the brochure today.
