The Sender IDs service, set up in November 2023 to prevent text message scams to Finnish mobile numbers, is achieving results. A report by Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency which set the scheme up, finds more than 70 SMS Sender IDs have been registered by organizations and key institutions so far.

“We are satisfied with the result of the first three months, as many key players such as Nordea, Osuuspankki, S-Bank, Posti, Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Tax Administration and National Police Board of Finland, as well as many other players in public administration and business life, have already protected their IDs”, said Traficom’s Chief Specialist Klaus Nieminen.

Increasing text scams

Cyber hacks and scams are becoming more common worldwide, and Finland is no exception. During the last years, scam messages that look like they come from trusted institutions and organizations have increased. Cyber criminals are believed to have gained a total profit of €10m ($10.8m) from the scams.

Using the text service, organizations can protect sender IDs from impersonators, as any messages sent from abroad or outside the authority’s interface will be blocked.

“Key players such as Nordea, Osuuspankki, S-Bank, Posti, Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Tax Administration and National Police Board of Finland … have already protected their IDs.”

Klaus Nieminen, Chief Specialist, Traficom 

“This service offered by Traficom gives organisations that send text messages the tools to protect their IDs, but it does not provide protection until the IDs are registered” Nieminen adds.

The first protections took effect on February 21, 2024, after a qualifying period of three months from the registration date. The service costs €200 ($216) per ID per year.