CA publishes Existing Customer Authentication code

The Communications Alliance (CA), the industry body for the telecommunications sector, has published a new industry code aimed at better protecting consumers against telecommunications-related fraud.

The new code, Existing Customer Authentication, has been approved by the CA board and will be submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to be submitted for registration as an enforceable code.

It includes guidelines for telecommunications operators that have been intentionally kept secret to prevent fraudsters from learning the tactics included.

If approved, the code will become enforceable for all Australian carriage service providers from April next year.

Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton said the new code has been compiled taking into account feedback from consumer groups and the industry-funded Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

“This is the latest in a series of anti-fraud initiatives from industry over the past 12 years, and an important part of the overall framework to protect customers from the rising scourge of attempted scams and fraud by criminals overseas and locally,” he said.

“The code and guideline provide a common set of principles for CSPs [communications service providers] to use, to put strong authentication procedures in place, consistent with the level of risk of harm, while also enabling some operational flexibility.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Rokas