Hong Kong Battle Against SMS Fraud With Sender Registrations

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), the telecom overseer in Hong Kong, plans to introduce the SMS Sender Registration. This move is meant to tackle fake messages and scams by making it easier for people to confirm who is sending them. With this Scheme, people can have more confidence in the identity of message senders and protect themselves from fraudulent activities.

OFCA To Issue Unique IDs To Users

OFCA explained that when people send text messages to local cell phones, they will have unique IDs that start with “#.” This is like a unique code to ensure the messages are from trusted and reliable sources.

Telecom companies will first use the plan, and 23 top mobile phone companies have already booked their names. These unique IDs make it easier to know the messages are secured.

OFCA also mentioned that in Hong Kong, the telecom operators will stop messages with “#” if they’re not from registered senders. So, if someone attempts to use “#” without being registered, their messages won’t go through. This method ensures that only approved senders can use “#” in their messages.

The Scheme, unfortunately, does not include messages sent using mobile applications like WeChat and WhatsApp. The phone companies do not control these messages, so the plan doesn’t work for them.

The OFCA Will Give Operators Four Months Before Implementation

The Hong Kong telecom regulator is introducing a new system, and before it starts working altogether, there’s a four-month adjustment period.

This gives the operators time to change how they send text messages. However, during this time, the regulator expects there might be some technical issues that could stop people from getting messages with the “#” symbol sent by registered operators.

Moreover, the OFCA will closely monitor how well the new system is working. They will also talk to other government departments to get more businesses that use text messages to join in and use the new system.

Francis Fong, who leads the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, mentioned that letting telecom companies register first helps the authorities see how well the plan works. Many scammers in the city pretend to be telecom companies when they send fake text messages.

Fong highlighted that since most real text messages come from telecom companies, this is an excellent way to see if the plan works. The telecom companies will try it out first, and if it works well, it might be used by banks or government offices later, explained Fong to the local media.