IMDA proposes mandatory SMS ID registration; telcos to explore anti-scam solutions
Michelle Zhu &
Yong Jun Yuan
AFTER accelerating the setting up of the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) in March 2022, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has announced that it intends to make SSIR registration a requirement for all merchants and organisations using sender IDs.
A transition period is proposed starting from October this year before the full SSIR registration requirement commences in end-2022 “as organisations may need time to adjust”, said the authority in a press statement on Monday (Aug 15). The plans will first be put up for public consultation on Monday before the requirement is implemented.
The SSIR identifies spoofed messages using protected SMS sender IDs and blocks these messages upfront.
According to IMDA, over 120 public and private sector organisations have joined the SSIR since the pilot’s launch in August 2021. These include companies such as AIA, DBS, Shopee, Singapore Exchange and SPH Media. The number of SMS scam cases reported has also declined three-fold since the programme’s launch compared to 3 months before that.
In the full registration regime, IMDA proposes that merchants and organisations that use SMS sender IDs must register with the SSIR using a Unique Identity Number (UEN).
Aggregators who wish to handle SMSes with sender IDs must also participate in the SSIR, and verify the merchants’ or organisations’ sign-ups through their respective UENs.
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In addition, The Business Times (BT) understands that IMDA is also exploring potentially allowing consumers to block both international calls and SMSes to help guard against overseas bad actors.
IMDA said it is also seeking the public’s feedback on proposed anti-scam SMS filtering measures through a public consultation on Monday.
One such measure would be proposed solutions to detect malicious links within the SMS that lead to scam websites. Telcos can subsequently develop solutions to identify patterns of suspicious scam messages and filter them accordingly.
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In January, Singtel said in a statement to BT that it actively investigated customer feedback on scam SMS messages, and blocked the source of the messages and their embedded hyperlinks if they were found to be bogus.
Similarly, StarHub and M1 also said at the time that they were working with the authorities and supporting investigations into SMS scams.
BT understands that regulations which eventually go into force will be enforceable under the Telecommunications Act. Telcos and aggregators found in breach of these regulations could be fined up to S$1 million or 10 per cent of a company’s annual turnover, whichever is higher.
These proposed measures are part of an ongoing multi-layered approach to strengthen protection against scams, said the authority.
“This has been done with the telcos, to systemically reduce scam calls and SMSes coming through the communication networks,” it added.
Aside from exploring the possibility of telcos providing consumers the option not to receive international SMSes and calls, IMDA said it is also working with telcos to block spoofed fixed-line and mobile numbers coming from overseas. This is done in-network as a default, without affecting users, and is expected to complete by year-end.
“However, scammers will continue to change their methods and tactics to deceive the public. Additional measures to safeguard the telecoms channels by itself, is insufficient. The best defence is a discerning public, where all consumers are individually alert and raise collective awareness by sharing scam prevention tips with friends and family,” stated IMDA.
“Everyone should also download Scamshield (a mobile app that can be downloaded on iOS devices from the App Store) to help filter out scam messages and block scam calls. Combatting scams is a whole of society effort, and the public should continue to remain vigilant.”
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