Text messaging scams which trick consumers into sending money or sharing their account details with fraudsters are known as ‘Smishing’ (or phishing by SMS). Criminals send bogus texts which appear to come from a trusted sender.
MEF’s SMS SenderID Protection Registry was established to automate cross-stakeholder processes to reliably and quickly share information to facilitate an orchestrated blocking system. The online platform helps identify and block fraudulent SMS texts, protecting consumers, legitimate businesses and organisations falling victim to text messaging scams. It enables organisations to register the message headers used when sending text messages to their customers and limits the ability of fraudsters to impersonate a brand by checking whether the sender is the genuine registered party.
UK Industry Solution + Going Global
In 2018, a cross-sector working group was set up to take a collaborative industry approach to tackling consumer fraud. As part of a market education and industry programme, in 2019, MEF became the independent secretariat of a trial of a Proof of Concept for an SMS SenderID Protection Registry.
In April 2020 the Registry supported an industry effort to prevent fraudsters sending scam text messages that seek to exploit the Covid-19 crisis with joint efforts continuing with this combat today. Read the full details here.
In 2022 the UK Registry is now no longer a trial but recognised as an ongoing ‘Industry Solution’ with over 130 bank and Government brands being protected. Comprising of more than 30 banks and Government agencies now directly participate with over 520 trusted SenderIDs registered to date. In excess of 2400 unauthorised variants are being blocked on an ever-growing list, a 5th of which relate to the Government’s Coronavirus campaign.
The cross-stakeholder working group has seen a significant drop in fraudulent messages being sent to the UK consumers of the participating merchants.
The Registry also has the support of the UK’s leading Aggregators as well as smaller messaging providers who understand the importance of industry collaboration.
Following the success in the UK, the Ireland SMS SenderID Protection Registry was launched on 1st July 2021. Supported by all 3 MNO’s, 9 Merchants – consisting of major Government agencies + Banks, Retailers & Utilities from commencement.
The Spain SMS SenderID Protection Registry launch followed soon after on 1st December 2021. With support from the MNO’s and over 10 Merchants onboard, the Registry fast approaches it’s 1 Year Anniversary.
With strong interest from numerous other territories we are optimistic further Registries will soon follow.
Find out More
MEF’s SMS SenderID Protection Registry enables all stakeholders to collaborate in a coordinated effort to combat smishing & spoofing. If you want to find out more about the UK trial results or want to understand how it can help MNOs, merchants and messaging providers in other markets then please get in touch today.
Combatting Fraud: reducing the impact of Smishing & Spoofing by SMS through industry collaboration and consumer awareness.
Industry collaboration: MNOs, banks, government agencies and messaging providers with a direct connection can sign-up to the registry
Cross Sector Working Group:members of Mobile UK (MNOs), UK Finance (banks), MEF (messaging and solution providers) and the National Cyber Security Centre (Government agencies)
Alphatag SenderID : automated cross-stakeholder processes reliably and quickly share information in order to orchestrate blocking via whitelist and blacklist of alphanumeric short codes.
Read more
