Unwanted text messages can be incredibly annoying, especially when it feels like you can’t do anything to stop them. However, some text messages can be sent with the intent to cause harm and need to be treated with caution.
Scamwatch reports that Australians lost over $1.4 million to scam text messages in January alone. According to that report, text messages are now the most popular method for scammers to target people. 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.
Knowing the difference between a scam SMS and an annoying marketing message is key when it comes to identifying which steps to take to reduce
annoying messages and stay safe from harmful ones.
It can be tricky to spot the difference between scam and spam text messages because they can look very similar.
Scam texts
Scam texts are malicious messages sent by cybercriminals to try and deceive you. The person sending the text may try and get you to hand over personal details or click an unsafe link. Giving up this information can expose you to the risk of identity theft or being defrauded. 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.
Spam texts
Spam text messages are unwanted communications that usually come from a legitimate business. Spam texts often advertise sales or other offers. 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. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information, visit the ACMA's website.
What is the Government doing to stop scam text messages?
Because 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. A press release from the Minister of Communications has highlighted that the government will be partnering with industry to stop scam text messages. 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. 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.
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. Sharing strategic approaches and intelligence to assist each other with global investigations will help to combat spam text messages on a global front. For the full media release, click here.
What are the industry doing to stop scam 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. Telstra, for example, are expanding their Cleaner Pipes initiative to include text messages. 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. You can read more about this new filter technology on the Telstra website. In the meantime, reporting scam texts to Scamwatch can help regulators identify new types of scams.
Communications 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. The code outlines procedures to reduce the number of scam calls and messages delivered to Australians. 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. For ACCAN's full submission, click here.
What you can do to keep yourself safe:
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Scam text messages vs spam text messages
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.
Once you’ve identified the type of message you’re received, you can start thinking about what actions you need to take. 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.
Type of message | How to spot it | What you can do |
Spam text message |
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Scam text message |
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ACCAN understands just how frustrating it can be to keep receiving these messages, especially when it feels like you can’t prevent them. While individuals can try to limit the number of spam or scam text messages they’re receiving by using the tips above, more needs to be done at the government and industry levels to ensure that Australians aren’t impacted. We will continue to advocate for better protections for consumers from spam and scam text messages.
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