Received a suspicious 'MyGov' text? Things will be different now.

The Australian government has recently launched a new initiative to crack down on scammers by requiring telecommunication companies (telcos) to verify messages sent from brands. This move comes as a response to the increasing number of scams targeting Australians. Under this initiative, a national SMS sender ID register will be established, which will require all text messages sent from trusted brands such as CommBank, Linkt, or MyGov to be verified before reaching the recipient.

If a sender ID is not registered, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will either block the message or include a warning to alert the recipient. According to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, this tool is crucial in protecting Australians from the ever-growing threat of "sophisticated and organized scammers." She further explained that many of us have received scam messages on our phones, pretending to be from reputable sources, resulting in millions of dollars lost every year.

The mandatory register will not only help in blocking or flagging scam messages but also restore trust in communication received from legitimate organizations. This will make it harder for scammers to operate in Australia. The federal government has allocated $10 million for this tool in the 2023-24 Federal Budget. The register is expected to be open for registration of sender IDs by late 2025, following extensive consultation with telcos and the companies being impersonated.

According to Scamwatch, more than $11 million has been lost to text message scams this year alone. To stay updated with the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, you can download the 9News app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. This app also allows you to receive notifications directly on your smartphone. The government urges everyone to be cautious and report any suspicious messages to the authorities. Together, we can make Australia a safer place for everyone.

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