The FCC is introducing new rules to combat the increased fraud scheme.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The United States has announced new regulations aimed at stopping SIM swapping, which is widely used by hackers to gain access to users personal information and passwords. This scheme has resulted in billions of dollars in losses and is the preferred method for many large groups of hackers.
Under the new FCC rules, telecom operators are now required to use strong customer authentication methods before transferring their numbers to a new device or another provider. In addition, providers must immediately inform consumers every time a request is made to change or transfer a number in their customer accounts, and they have taken additional steps to protect against SIM card substitution and number transfer fraud.
The rules adopted by the FCC update existing provisions on the protection of Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) and Local Number Portability. The changes create a single security standard for the entire mobile communications industry, giving providers the freedom to choose how to protect themselves from fraud.
The FCC also called on citizens to share ideas to further strengthen fraud protection when replacing SIM cards and transferring numbers. The offer applies to the fight against fraudulent schemes in which attackers impersonate the victim and open accounts with other operators, and then transfer numbers to them.
According to the FBI, in 2021 alone, Americans lost more than $68 million due to SIM-spoofing attacks. The indicator shows an exponential increase in the threat since 2018, when the FBI began tracking such attacks.
The FCC stressed that the updated rules are aimed at strengthening subscribers control over their accounts and increasing customer awareness of any requests for SIM card transfers, which should help prevent fraudulent activities. To further strengthen the protection of customers personal data, the FCC this year created the Privacy and Data Protection Task Force. The initiative is aimed at solving problems related to the substitution of SIM cards and other threats that threaten the privacy of users.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The United States has announced new regulations aimed at stopping SIM swapping, which is widely used by hackers to gain access to users personal information and passwords. This scheme has resulted in billions of dollars in losses and is the preferred method for many large groups of hackers.
Under the new FCC rules, telecom operators are now required to use strong customer authentication methods before transferring their numbers to a new device or another provider. In addition, providers must immediately inform consumers every time a request is made to change or transfer a number in their customer accounts, and they have taken additional steps to protect against SIM card substitution and number transfer fraud.
The rules adopted by the FCC update existing provisions on the protection of Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) and Local Number Portability. The changes create a single security standard for the entire mobile communications industry, giving providers the freedom to choose how to protect themselves from fraud.
The FCC also called on citizens to share ideas to further strengthen fraud protection when replacing SIM cards and transferring numbers. The offer applies to the fight against fraudulent schemes in which attackers impersonate the victim and open accounts with other operators, and then transfer numbers to them.
According to the FBI, in 2021 alone, Americans lost more than $68 million due to SIM-spoofing attacks. The indicator shows an exponential increase in the threat since 2018, when the FBI began tracking such attacks.
The FCC stressed that the updated rules are aimed at strengthening subscribers control over their accounts and increasing customer awareness of any requests for SIM card transfers, which should help prevent fraudulent activities. To further strengthen the protection of customers personal data, the FCC this year created the Privacy and Data Protection Task Force. The initiative is aimed at solving problems related to the substitution of SIM cards and other threats that threaten the privacy of users.
