Australian telecommunications companies, in collaboration with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), have successfully blocked over 336.7 million scam texts since July 2022. The figures, released by ACMA, cover the period between 12 July 2022 and 30 September 2023, highlighting the significant efforts made to combat fraudulent activity.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said, 'These figures provide stark evidence of the scale of scam activity, with approximately 16 scam texts being blocked for every adult in the country.'

In a bid to further protect Australians, ACMA is developing a Sender ID Registry. This registry aims to safeguard the message headers of brands and government agencies from impersonation by scammers. It's a crucial step in ensuring the authenticity of communications and reducing the risk of fraud.

The Sender ID Registry is part of the government’s broader Fighting Scams initiative, which also supports the National Anti-Scam Centre. Operational since 1 July 2023, the centre is a key component in the country's multi-pronged approach to combating scams.

Despite these measures, O’Loughlin warns Australians to remain vigilant, especially during the Christmas period, a time often exploited by scammers. 'It pays to slow down and think before acting on a call or message, and always research and independently check who you’re dealing with,' she advised.