MARK BURROWS:
There could soon be an end to those annoying and often fraudulent text messages that seem to bombard anyone with a mobile phone. The Federal Government today announcing it will explore the creation of an SMS registry to block criminals posing as agencies like the ATO and Australia Post. Here to discuss is Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones. Mr Jones, thank you for your time. Just how big a problem has this become?
STEPHEN JONES:
A huge problem. We saw it all double and sometimes triple over the COVID period. Whether it was Australia Post, whether it was the custom service, the ATO or your bank, people were receiving false SMS, sometimes with links in them. The objective was to steal somebody's identity and eventually their money. We are serious about cracking down on scams. This SMS registry, which we wish to set up, will prevent somebody stealing a legitimate name attached to a false phone number with the objective of stealing people's data and their money.
BURROWS:
Mr Jones, that's a great idea. Just tell me, how does this registry actually work?
JONES:
Well, a business or a government agency will say, these are the legitimate numbers which can use our name, whether it's MyGov, whether it's the tax office, whether it's a bank. They'll say, these are the legitimate numbers that we use, and if there is any other number pretending to use our name in sending out an SMS, then it's probably a scam or a fraud and those names and numbers should be blocked. It's a way of ensuring that when a customer gets an SMS from somebody, they can be assured that it is a text originating from the legitimate source.
BURROWS:
There's one figure that Australians lost half a billion dollars to fake scams last year. How much do you think you could reduce that by?
JONES:
We know that we can reduce the amount of money that households and small businesses are losing. The ACCC estimates as much as $2 billion last year. $4 billion this year has been lost to these sorts of scams. That is money that is not in the bank accounts of households doing it tough or businesses doing it tough. It's our job to knock this stuff on the head. The registry that we're proposing will be a part of that, but we've got other measures in place that we're planning to roll out over the course of the year as well.
BURROWS:
Mr Jones, lonely heart scams are quite common too. As you know, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Should people, especially those looking for love, be on high alert?
JONES:
Absolutely. I mean, I can't think of anything more evil, more pernicious than portraying to be somebody who's in love, somebody who is falsely putting themselves out there and with one objective in mind, and that is to steal your money and your identity. Sadly, amongst the messages that will be sent out on Valentine's Day, there will be criminals, frauds, scammers out there trying to prey upon innocent, lonely people. So, yes, do be aware. Do be alert. We want people to be able to exchange their messages of love. But just be aware that there are scammers out there as well.
BURROWS:
Mr Jones, many people will be hoping this SMS registry does work. For now, we'll have to leave it there. Thank you for your time.
JONES:
Good to be with you.