
The table below provides a breakdown of things you can do to try and limit the number of unwanted messages that are being sent to your phone. Once you’ve identified the type of message you’re received, you can start thinking about what actions you need to take. It’s important to note the difference between spam text messages and scam text messages, as this can help you identify how best to deal with the message.
JUST CHECKING ON YOU TEXT MESSAGES CODE
ACCAN believes that this code could be further improved by making sure that information about scam calls and messages is easy to find for everyone. The code outlines procedures to reduce the number of scam calls and messages delivered to Australians. In the meantime, reporting scam texts to Scamwatch can help regulators identify new types of scams.Ĭommunications Alliance, the group representing the Australian telecommunications industry, has also announced that they will be revising the Reducing Scam Calls and Scam SMS Industry Code. You can read more about this new filter technology on the Telstra website. They’ve just turned on a brand-new SMS scam filter which works to block these messages at the network level, before they even reach your mobile. Telstra, for example, are expanding their Cleaner Pipes initiative to include text messages. Telcos are currently running pilot programs to ‘train’ their systems to spot the differences between real text messages and scam text messages, so that they can intercept them before they get to customers. What are the industry doing to stop scam text messages? Sharing strategic approaches and intelligence to assist each other with global investigations will help to combat spam text messages on a global front. The ACMA has also recently announced that they will be working together with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission to assist each other with investigations into unlawful telemarketing and spam.

Furthermore, the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) has established an action plan and Scam Telco Action Taskforce to help the industry respond to increasing levels of scams. By making amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, telcos are now able to block SMS messages going through to consumers if the messages look like they’re a scam.

A press release from the Minister of Communications has highlighted that the government will be partnering with industry to stop scam text messages. What is the Government doing to stop scam text messages?īecause scam text messages have become such a significant issue, the government has announced several measures that aim to limit the amount of scam text messages reaching Australians. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.įor more information, visit the ACMA's website. They should include a mechanism to opt out, such as texting back “stop.” If you continue to receive messages from a business even though you’ve unsubscribed or opted out, or you have not consented to signing up you can complain to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) via This email address is being protected from spambots. Spam texts often advertise sales or other offers. Spam text messages are unwanted communications that usually come from a legitimate business.
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In addition, clicking links that look suspicious can allow scammers to access your device and install malware (malicious software), which can give them access to information that should be kept private. Giving up this information can expose you to the risk of identity theft or being defrauded.

The person sending the text may try and get you to hand over personal details or click an unsafe link. Scam texts are malicious messages sent by cybercriminals to try and deceive you.

It can be tricky to spot the difference between scam and spam text messages because they can look very similar. Knowing the difference between a scam SMS and an annoying marketing message is key when it comes to identifying which steps to take to reduceĪnnoying messages and stay safe from harmful ones. While both the government and the telecommunications industry have announced that they’re looking into solutions for this problem, there are still a few things you can do to keep yourself safe. According to that report, text messages are now the most popular method for scammers to target people. Scamwatch reports that Australians lost over $1.4 million to scam text messages in January alone. However, some text messages can be sent with the intent to cause harm and need to be treated with caution. Unwanted text messages can be incredibly annoying, especially when it feels like you can’t do anything to stop them.
