Finnish companies have been able to apply for the registration of text message sender information since the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency's Traficom order from November 2023. What does registering sender information mean, and why does it matter? Ilkka Tuominen, DNA's fraud manager, sheds light on the matter.
"Although various scam messages have been widely discussed, people still get fooled. The language used in scams is better than ever, and it's easy to fall for them when you are in a rush. Companies' brands are valuable, so protecting sender information improves the reliability of text messages and the company brand and limits the opportunities for criminals to misuse the company's name," Tuominen sums up.
Text message sender information refers to the sender’s name, which can be a phone number or a combination of letters and numbers. The registered sender ID, also called SMS Sender ID, can consist of the company's name and parallel or auxiliary business names. It must not yet be in any other company’s use. After that, the company's communication plays a significant role in helping customers identify an adopted and reliable registered sender ID.
"For example, DNA sends text messages with two registered names: DNA and DNABusiness. The first is intended for communication with consumers and the latter with corporate customers. Without registering the sender ID, scammers can use the company's name or some variation, and a customer may not even suspect a scam," says Tuominen.
Fraudsters always come up with new ways
Finland is currently being targeted by many different scams, ranging from scam calls and messages to various online threats. In 2023, DNA managed to prevent more than 10 million scam calls and more than two million scam text messages; in the first half of 2024, more than 3 million scam calls have already been blocked. However, Tuominen reminds us that as different technologies and methods are developed against scams, the scammers will also invent new ones.
"In the past, the Finnish language gave us protection against scammers, but now, with the help of artificial intelligence, it is possible to create almost error-free messages. People with limited knowledge of the language, who are not necessarily able to interpret the nuances of the language, are in the weakest position when it comes to scams," says Tuominen.
Fraudsters try to act in the name of reliable brands, and the messages create a sense of urgency so that the victim acts as quickly as possible without a pause. Due to its delivery method, a scam text message is perceived as very personal.
"Those who send messages under the name of a company should protect themselves from the misuse of sender information, but it is especially important for those whose services must be strongly identified. Such companies are like honeypots for scammers. Of course, in interactive communication, the sender's phone number is still used," underlines Tuominen.
Registering the sender ID is not mandatory, but DNA strongly recommends it. Registering an SMS Sender ID is a quick procedure that can be done easily on Traficom's website.
DNA has participated in the development of the registration service together with the authorities and other operators. In March 2024, Traficom awarded this assembly with a trailblazer recognition award for cooperation in preventing both scam messages and calls.
Six tips to protect yourself from scams
- The operator, bank or other service providers will never contact you to ask for credentials or passwords.
- Enable the mobile certificate for the authentication you need and limit the use of bank credentials to banking transactions only.
- Think before you click on a link or give your information to any party in messages or by phone – haste exposes you to scams.
- Protect your personnel's network traffic and work phones with appropriate software.
- Don't be alone! A competent partner helps in building your company's information security.
- There are no stupid questions in the field of information security. Do not hesitate to contact a colleague or IT support with any doubts.
Read more about DNA SMS Sender ID service and prevent SMS scammers from impersonating your business!
