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Eradicating Scammers: How Communication Service Providers Can Minimize Telecom Fraud

Communication Service Providers (CSPs) face a constant battle against scammers who threaten customer trust, brand reputation, and financial stability. In this blog, we will discuss the impact of telecom fraud on CSPs, common scam types, and CSP fraud protection strategies, including examples.

In this article, we will discuss:

The Impact Of Scammer And Telecom Fraud On Communication Service Providers

Scammers and their telecom fraud can wreak havoc on CSPs in several ways, including customer trust erosion, brand reputation damage, regulatory penalties, potential legal liabilities, degraded QoE, direct revenue loss, degraded customer experience, increased fraud prevention costs, and increased billing disputes. Fraudulent traffic is projected to cost the international wholesale carrier industry $17 billion annually, according to industry reports.

In but one of many examples, the U.S. Department of Justice sued AT&T for up to $48 million allowing a service for the deaf to become overrun by scam artists — estimating that at one point 95% of the calls for a particular service were not legitimate.

Types Of Scams Targeting CSPs And Their Customers

Common scams that target CSPs and their customers include phone call impersonation, phone fraud, domain and social media impersonation, phishing/vishing scams, and robocalls. In their 2021 survey, The Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA) estimated the total amount of telecom revenue loss due to fraud at 2.2% of revenues or $40 billion, an increase over 2019 of well over $11 billion. Spoofing alone cost CSPs an estimated $2.63 billion.

One nefarious scam that has hit CSPs hard — and which has increased dramatically in frequency — is called the “port-out” scam. With a date of birth and Social Security Number, scammers trick CSPs into transferring (porting) a number to a new account or device. Those scammers then steal the identity and commit a variety of other fraud using the existing number (on a new device) for 2-factor authentication.

Another notorious case of robocall scams involved 2 men who collectively were responsible for up to 5 billion (yes, billion) robocalls within a 3-month period. They was ultimately stopped — with $225 million fine against two telemarketers for their involvement — but not before those billions of calls degraded legitimate network traffic for CSPs. In addition, companies that passed on their calls in the future were warned by the FCC of consequences.

Strategies For CSP Fraud Protection: Protect Your Customers And Brands From Scammers 

CSP Fraud Protection strategies are required to safeguard your customers, as well as your organization itself. Robust authentication and verification methods, monitoring call and message traffic, collaborating with specialized brand protection services like YouMailPS, and customer education on identifying and reporting scams are essential steps. AI and machine learning can also play a crucial role in detecting and preventing scams.

Additional ways for CSPs reduce fraudulent traffic include:

  • Reduce compliance risk by identifying problematic numbers immediately and being able to immediately shut down numbers that behave illegally
  • Supplement “know your customer” to detect illegal behavior faster
  • Collect relevant data to demonstrate cleanliness of network
  • Act with legal counsel and security departments to reduce risk from FCC fines and actions
  • Rationalize additional budgeting with the reduced risk of lawsuits, bad press, and lost customers due to noncompliance and fraud
  • Consider reducing fixed IT resources by outsourcing to the subject matter experts
  • Consider external data sources or organizations with additional data points. These may be more accurate due to millions or even billions of data points that a CSP may not have

Scammers pose a significant threat to Communication Service Providers and their customers. By understanding the impact of scams and common scam types, CSPs can develop effective strategies to protect their customers and brands. Leveraging advanced technologies and partnering with specialized services like YouMailPS can help CSPs combat scammers and maintain customer trust.

Ensure the safety and security of your customers and brand by eradicating scammers. Contact YouMailPS for a no-obligation consultation on comprehensive scam protection solutions for Communication Service Providers.

 

FAQs About Telecom Fraud & Communication Service Providers

 

How has telecom fraud impacted Communication Service Providers (CSPs)?

Telecom fraud can cause numerous detrimental effects on CSPs. These include eroding customer trust, damaging brand reputation, incurring regulatory penalties, creating potential legal liabilities, degrading quality of experience, causing direct revenue loss, reducing customer satisfaction, increasing fraud prevention costs, and leading to more billing disputes.

What types of scams target CSPs and their customers the most?

CSPs and their customers are commonly targeted by scams like phone call impersonation, phone fraud, domain and social media impersonation, phishing/vishing scams, and robocalls. A particularly damaging scam is the “port-out” scam, in which scammers trick CSPs into transferring a number to a new account or device to commit identity theft and other frauds.

What is the financial impact of telecom fraud on the wholesale carrier industry?

According to industry reports, fraudulent traffic is projected to cost the international wholesale carrier industry approximately $17 billion annually.

How can CSPs protect their customers and brands from scammers?

CSPs can protect their customers and brands through various strategies, including implementing robust authentication and verification methods, monitoring call and message traffic, and educating customers on identifying and reporting scams. AI and machine learning can be used for detecting and preventing scams. CSPs can also collaborate with specialized brand protection services like YouMailPS.

What are some additional measures that CSPs can take to reduce fraudulent traffic?

CSPs can reduce fraudulent traffic by identifying and shutting down problematic numbers immediately, enhancing their "know your customer" practices, collecting data to demonstrate network cleanliness, coordinating with legal counsel and security departments to avoid FCC fines and actions, and considering outsourcing to subject matter experts. CSPs can also consider using external data sources or organizations with additional data points for better accuracy.

What role can AI and machine learning play in protecting CSPs from scams?

AI and machine learning can be instrumental in detecting and preventing scams. These technologies can analyze patterns and behaviors in call and message traffic that may indicate fraudulent activities, enabling CSPs to identify and address potential threats more quickly and effectively.

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