Latest news with #Comreg
The Journal
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Explainer: What's going wrong with ComReg's new new scam-text warning system?
A NEW SYSTEM to help phone users identify scam texts has caused some important messages from organisations such as hospitals and banks to be marked as 'Likely Scam'. The Communications Regulator rolled out the system last Thursday to prevent people opening or responding to spam messages which attempt to trick people into clicking unsafe links or sending money. However, issues with the system are causing people to avoid messages from some trusted companies and agencies, including VHI, the CAO, AIB and several hospitals, potentially causing customers to miss important information. Companies had to add themselves to a register to send messages to customers without being labelled as 'Likely Scam', which 8,000 companies have already done, however, a glitch in the system is causing messages from registered companies to be marked as 'scam'. Now, instead of the sender information showing up as the company name, it will appear as 'Likely Scam' so customers cannot tell who they have received a text from. What is the new scam text system? The new ComReg system labels texts from unregistered businesses as 'Likely Scam' to crackdown on the widespread issue of fraudulent messages, and protect people from losing money or revealing sensitive information to scam artists masquerading as trusted businesses. Europe Economics estimates over €300 million is lost each year by Irish consumers and businesses targeted by scam calls and texts. The system labels messages from untrusted senders as 'Likely Scam', and will completely block messages with this label from 3 October this year. Companies must register themselves with the communications regulator's new scheme if they want to send texts to customers without them being flagged as a scam. Advertisement Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS messages often include a SMS Sender ID to indicate who sent the message. It's usually the name of the company or organisation. Now ComReg must be made aware of the ID, otherwise texts sent will be flagged to recipients as 'Likely Scam'. If someone receives a message that says 'Likely Scam', this may be because the sender hasn't yet registered their ID, which companies must do before October to prevent being blocked. What are the issues with the system? The system is accidentally labelling messages from some legitimate businesses as 'Likely Scam'. Speaking to RTE's News At One programme, Comreg's director of market frameworks, George Merrigan, said the issue is caused by ComReg's technical partners. 'In terms of Comreg's own systems, all are working exactly to expectation,' he said. 'The issues we're experiencing are that some industry players are having some technical issues and we are working with them to resolve those issues as quickly as possible.' What are ComReg doing about it? ComReg has apologised for any inconvenience and said they are 'working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible'. 'ComReg is aware that some already registered Sender IDs are being modified to 'Likely Scam' and continues to work with industry parties to resolve any technical issues they are experiencing', they told The Journal . Tom Butler, Public Affairs Manager for ComReg, could not say whether ComReg will disable the 'Likely Scam' programme until the issues are fixed. ComReg are continuing to register all new SenderID applications received. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
08-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Comreg scam text regulator experiencing difficulties
A new system aimed at clamping down on fraudulent text messages is experiencing significant difficulties. The Communications Regulator has apologised to phone users who have received legitimate messages labelled as being a "likely scam". The scheme is supposed to protect people from opening or replying to fake messages. The glitch has affected messages from trusted senders, including hospitals, and organisations such as VHI, AIB, along with many others. Irish consumers have been bombarded with scam text messages for years many trying to trick people out of money. George Merrigan, Director of Market Framework with Comreg, said the issue is the result of technical problems with a number of mobile operators and companies who manage bulk messages on behalf of others. He said: "The telecommunications industry is a web of many networks, so you can have a small number of industry players having some technical implementation issues and that can sort of affect others, as a consequence." Mr Merrigan apologised to customers and asked them to bear with the company while the "teething issues" with the scheme are worked out. "So, so we don't believe the root of the issue is terribly large, but we realise the confusion it's causing for the end consumer at the moment who is our number one concern." "Our focus is on the root cause of the issue and where it is being experienced at the end of the line, which is the consumer but our understanding is a small number of industry players that are having the technical implementation issues." Text messages labelled as being "likely scams" are due to be completely blocked from October. There is concern that important information could be missed if the problem is not fixed quickly. Comreg says it hopes to have the problem fixed in the coming days. However, for now people are being urged to be cautious about messages labelled as being a scam and not to click on links contained in these messages.
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Comreg blames telecoms firms for national scam text mess
In an interview, the telecoms operator's director of markets George Merrigan said that 'some industry players' were having 'technical issues' while its own systems were working as required The telecoms regulator says that a nationwide scam text problem is the fault of its technical partners. Speaking to RTE's News At One programme, Comreg's director of market frameworks, George Merrigan, apologised for the 'confusion' that a misfiring crackdown on scam texts has caused, where hospital patients being told that their appointment reminders were scam texts by the regulator's new system.
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
National crackdown on scam texts begins with unregistered company SMS messages labelled as ‘likely scam' by Irish mobile operators
The crackdown, instigated by the telecoms regulator, Comreg, is targeting scammers who try to use household name company brands like banks or retailers to 'spoof' people over SMS A national crackdown on scam texts begins on Wednesday, with a wave of SMS messages set to be labelled as 'likely scam' across all Irish mobile operators. The scheme is being overseen by the telecoms regulator, Comreg, which has set up an approved register of businesses. Any company that hasn't registered will now see any customer texts they send out marked as 'likely scam'. From October, such unregistered company texts will be blocked by Irish operators under the new scheme.
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
300pc rise in Irish phone scam payments, says AIB
The bank says that the value of fraudulent payments has tripled in the first half of this year as waves of scam texts, known as 'smishing' and scam calls, called 'vishing', hit Irish phones. The number of people falling victim to such scams has also risen, by 6pc. The surge comes just as the phone industry is about to clamp down on scam texts in Ireland, with a new industry-wide, regulatory initiative set to mark unregistered calls as 'likely scam' when they arrive in Irish text message inboxes. AIB said that the top five phone scams are text message fraud, 'safe account' scams — where criminals pose as bank clerks — investment scams on websites, holiday scams and purchasing scams. 'Where customers are scammed, AIB deals sympathetically with them on a case-by-case basis,' said Mary McHale, AIB's head of financial crime. Research from Ireland's telecoms regulator, Comreg, found about 365,000 cases of fraud per year as a result of scam calls and texts in Ireland, with 89 million 'annoying or irritating' communications because of it. It also estimates that around 5,000 businesses per annum are the victim of fraud after receiving scam calls and texts and that the annual cost of scam texts is €115m each year, rising to €300m per year when scam calls are counted. Comreg says that it is still waiting for legislation from the government that's needed to apply SMS 'filter' technology that could help in reducing private SMS text scamming. However, more than 7,000 businesses and organisations that use mass-texting services have pre-registered with the telecoms regulator as part of a crackdown on SMS scam by Comreg. From July 3rd, companies that use mass-texting services and that haven't registered with the telecoms regulator will see their SMS texts to customers labelled as 'likely scam'. From October, such texts will be blocked altogether. The regulator's SMS Sender ID registry system is aimed at those who use 'Sender ID' to attach a name to a mobile number, such as Bank Of Ireland or Amazon or An Post. At present, scammers can fairly easily 'spoof' these names, which is why irish people get so many texts which appear to be from legitimate businesses and utilities but are not. In the worst cases, the spoofed SMS messages even appear in existing customer interaction conversations with the legitimate business. The new system is designed to eliminate this kind of 'spoofing', so that from October, Irish consumers won't receive fraudulent SMS text messages of this type. Comreg said that it is the mobile network operators that will ultimately block the texts, as they will have access to the register of legitimate Sender ID companies. Comreg says that any companies or organisations that haven't registered should do so now, to avoid their SMS messages being labelled or blocked. However, the new initiative won't apply to regular, private SMS numbers, meaning that a scammer who simply buys a sim card and sends out bulk SMS messages won't be affected. According to AIB's report, the following categories represent the top five phone-related scams. 1. Text Message Fraud 'Text message fraud, also known as SMS phishing or smishing, continues to be a major threat and the crime that's most commonly perpetrated by fraudsters. Scammers send convincing messages that appear to be from reputable sources, such as banks, delivery companies or Government agencies, tricking recipients into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Our advice is to never click a link in an unexpected text message or call the number provided. If in doubt contact the sender on a known and trusted number to verify its legitimacy. You should never provide log in details, security details such as one time passcodes, card reader codes or selfies.' 2. Safe Account Scams 'Safe account scams involve fraudsters posing as bank officials who call and inform victims that their accounts have been compromised. They then persuade victims to transfer their funds to a 'safe' account for protection, which is often their own account, and often in other financial institutions. The funds can then be moved onto a mule account. These safe accounts are, in fact, controlled by the scammers, resulting in the victims losing all transferred funds. We will never call you and ask you to move your money to a new account for safe keeping. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately.' 3. Investment Scams 'Investment scams have surged in 2025, with perpetrators offering lucrative returns on fake investment opportunities. These scams often target individuals seeking to grow their savings quickly, using convincing pitches and professional-looking websites. Victims invest substantial amounts of money, only to realise later that the promised returns are non-existent and their funds have been stolen. Always ask yourself, is this too good to be true?' 4. Holiday Scams 'As we come into peak travel season, we have also seen a rise in holiday scams. Scammers create fake travel websites and offers, luring victims with attractive deals on flights and accommodation. Once payments are made, victims discover that their bookings are fraudulent and their dream holidays are ruined. These scams not only cause financial loss but also lead to immense disappointment and frustration. Always book your holidays through reputable providers, research accommodation to ensure it actually exists and don't part with your money unless you are fully satisfied. These scams aren't just advertising foreign holidays, but Irish ones too.' 5. Purchase Scams 'Shopping online can be convenient, but it also comes with several risks. One of the main concerns is the possibility of encountering fraudulent websites or sellers who may take your money without delivering the promised goods. Additionally, there's the risk of your personal and financial information being stolen through phishing scams or insecure websites, leading to identity theft and financial loss. Another threat is the potential for receiving counterfeit or substandard products, which can be disappointing and harmful. To mitigate these risks, it's essential to shop from reputable websites, use secure payment methods, and stay vigilant for any signs of suspicious activity. Always ask yourself, is this price too good to be true?'
