Just read this article and wondering if we have the same here in Australia, ie. a way to protect our number being ported out.
Protection from Unwanted Port-out
peuwayaqdq on 19/02/2018 - 12:32
Comments
Is Virgin Mobile legit? lol
Someone I know had their number ported out followed by their NetBank account being compromised
I know someone who had their account cleaned out, when their netbank account was compromised. Guess the person you knew got off lightly. 😎
Telecomms follow a different set of rules in Australia. From memory, nobody can perform a port request but you since you have to provide either Driver's License number / Medicare number when you're setting up a new mobile phone service.
The data you provide is then compared to the data of the older account
If there is a mismatch in the information you've provided, the port fails.
That's where identity theft comes in.
Exactly.
The Medicare database has already been breached by criminals.
And also the reason to setup some kind of second authorisation … for example a code sent to the number.
The details of the Porter and Porter do not have to match and are not compared against each other.
It's actually pretty easy to port someone without their consent.
If they're on prepaid, all you need is their first/last name, date of birth and obviously their mobile number.
Optus verifies identity by credit card authorisation, which is a terrible method. You can enter any valid credit card and put in the name of the victim and it'll still go through.
I work with a telco company and I can say that it is quite easy for an unattentive sales rep to port out someone else's number if they don't check the IDs properly. We have had a few customers come in with fraudulent IDs trying to sign up. It's also quite easy for someone to get their account number from telcos just by knowing the target's DOB and full name as stated by someone above.
Honestly, they need a more secure method to prevent numbers from unauthorised port outs.
Are you more protected under a business plan or doesn't matter?
Not sure with other telcos. But where I work there's an added verification we need to grab from business customers when we port them in. The credit team also looks to see if your name is associated with the business. More secure with accounts with an ACN. Had credit review team refer customer's application because their name wasn't on the website of the company and required the customer to send proof of their affiliation with the company using their company minutes.
Definitely, for business accounts where the account name is not the owner, you will need a letter of release before you can port out a number.
The letter of release is pretty basic to be honest. Im always concerned how easy it is to port out. Our only protection is the terrible Telstra billing system for business which stops unauthorised ports.
Source: have telstra business account
I wonder if it would be better if numbers were like domain names. The holder of the number owns the number, and they can point the number to the provider that they want to use.
At least then the responsibility lies with the number owner. Don't have to rely on telco staff doing the right thing. Also should make transfers quicker, and eliminate the risk of the provider losing your mobile number due to their stuff up.a way to protect our number being ported out.
If you're with Optus, quite simple, really. Protect your password at all costs.
- Have your name legally changed as frequently as possible. Either that, or re-marry regularly.
- Never tell anybody what your birthday is.
- Never share your mobile number.
It may sound as though I'm being sarcastic, but I'm not. This is precisely the issue I've had since 2016. I just stopped thinking about it because it was starting to drain me mentally.
Definitely living up to username
stick with legit telco
preferably postpaid as that requires acct. no. to port out (still easy to steal)