Two-factor authentication to be made mandatory for mobile phone number transfers

Switching from one mobile network to another has always been an arduous task, but for your own safety it’ll soon be even more tedious.

You might have many reasons for switching phone providers, but whether its to take up a better deal, get better coverage, or you’re just straight fed up with your current telco, odds are you’ll want to take your current mobile phone number with you.

If you’ve ever been through the process you’ll know it can come with a lengthy and tedious wait, but new measures designed to thwart scammers and ID thieves mean it’s about to get even worse.

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On Wednesday morning, the Government announced new identity verification methods to stop fraudsters stealing your mobile phone number to access your info and data, or use in more scams.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher announced stronger, industry-wide ID verification measures will be introduced, adding more boxes to tick before your phone number can be ported from your old provider to a new one.

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday

Several Aussie telcos, including the three main mobile operators Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, already have two-factor authentication processes in place, but the new mandate will enforce a requirement for telcos — from the biggest carriers down to the smallest virtual network operators — to double check before a number is ported.

You’ve likely comes across two-factor authentication (sometimes called 2FA) before.

You may have seen it while checking your email, doing online banking, or logging into Instagram for the first time on a new phone.

The way it works is by sending a unique code to your phone number or email address which is then entered into the requesting app or website.

Mr Fletcher said more than one million mobile services are linked to telcos yet to introduce two-factor authentication when announcing the changes this morning.

“The Government expects all telcos to pull their weight. I want Australians to be confident that every telco has put in place strong verification processes to stop fraudulent mobile number porting and the devastating consequences it can have for victims,” Mr Fletcher said.

According to the Minister, the fraudulent porting of numbers claims thousands of victims every year, who on average lose more than $10,000.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has now been directed to mandate better identity verification methods for all telcos, lest those who hold out expose their customers to risk by making themselves a magnet for scammers.

Vodafone, Telstra, Optus and others have already introduced heightened verification before porting mobile phone numbers, but other operators will soon be forced to follow suit.

“Mobile number fraud can have devastating effects as scammers can gain access to bank accounts, email, social media and more,” said ACMA Authority Member Fiona Cameron.

“Identity theft has long-term ramifications as victims struggle to regain control over personal and financial information often over years.”

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“In the interim, consumers should ask their provider what measures they have in place to protect their phone number and personal identity,” added Ms Cameron.

The new verification measures are the first changes to emerge from the newly established Scam Technology Project, a joint partnership between ACMA and industry to develop technology-based defences in the war against tele-scammers.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomed the announcement, and said it was about time something was done to combat port fraud.

“This is an issue that we have been highlighting to the telco industry for quite some time now; it’s positive to see that action is finally being taken to safeguard consumers,” ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin said.

She added the network will continue work with government and industry “to ensure that consumer-based outcomes remain at the heart of the conversation”.