The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced that the directive to ban prohibited content in Short Message Service (SMS) will be enforced effective 1st September 2024. The prohibited content includes hyperlinks, requests for personal information and phone numbers for a callback.
The MCMC issued a directive to all telcos last year to block SMS containing URLs but it was initially implemented for personal mobile numbers only since May 2023. As we’ve reported recently, the regulator had provided an exemption for essential service businesses which ended on 31st August 2024. This means all business owners are now prohibited from sending SMS with URLs through their brand names and shortcodes.
With the exemption period ended, businesses including financial platforms and telcos would have moved away from URL-based verification via SMS.
According to the MCMC, the enforcement aims to protect users from the risk of fraud involving SMS services which are often exploited by criminals pretending to be legit authorities, which include both public and private entities. There have been several SMS spoofing cases where scammers send SMS with ‘MAXIS‘, ‘GOV‘ and 15454 as the Sender ID to look legitimate.
Users urged to report SMS containing links and other sensitive information
If you still receive an SMS containing URLs, the MCMC wants you to file an official report for further action. Users are advised to submit their complaints through the MCMC Aduan portal and include additional information such as the sender’s phone number or short code, the recipient’s phone number, location of receipt and a screenshot of the message.
Beware of suspicious links sent from Instant Messaging, RCS and iMessage
While action has been taken against fraudulent messages sent via SMS, the MCMC wants the public to be vigilant against scam messages sent through other platforms. This includes WhatsApp, Telegram, Google RCS and Apple iMessage, which bypasses the telco’s infrastructure.
If you receive suspicious or fraudulent messages, you are advised to report them to the respective platform or file a complaint to the MCMC for further action.
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