Keeping Your Text Messages Scam‑Free: Singapore’s New SMS Sender ID Registry
In August 2021, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Singapore Police Force, a handful of government agencies, and private sector partners rolled out a one‑stop SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) to fight annoying and dangerous text‑scams. The idea is simple: each company gets a unique ID that proves who’s actually sending the message.
The Voluntary Roll‑Out and Its Early Success
Since its launch, more than 120 organisations—both public and private—decided to sign up, even though participation wasn’t mandatory. The result? A three‑fold drop in reported SMS scam cases compared with the three months before SSIR came online. That’s proof that a little identity check goes a long way.
From Voluntary to Mandatory: The Road Ahead
Next week, IMDA is tightening the belt. All merchants and firms that send SMS messages will now need to register with the SSIR using their Unique Entity Number (UEN). Our plan: from October to the end of 2022, we’ll transition everyone into this full registration regime.
- After the transition, only registered Sender IDs can push messages.
- Any non‑registered Sender ID will be blocked by default.
What This Means for Your Phone
With every message now traceable to a verified UEN, scam texts will be far harder to send. But technology isn’t the whole story. The IMDA still urges every Singaporean to stay alert and cautious when it comes to unsolicited SMS.
Tools to Keep You Safe
- Scamshield is an app you can download to automatically filter out suspicious texts.
- Similarly, you can set up call‑blocking features on your phone to stop scam calls—just like a digital do‑not‑disturb sign.
Even with a mandatory registry, nothing beats human vigilance. If a text looks fishy, give it a quick Google search or call the company straight out of the message. Trust the feeling that something feels off—your brain’s built‑in anti‑scam firewall.
Side Note: Other Recent Regulator Actions
In a different news tick, IMDA fined M1 and StarHub a combined $610,000 for internet disruptions during a circuit breaker period. These fines remind us that maintaining straightforward, trustworthy communications is a top priority for the government.
That’s all there is to it—stay safe, stay informed, and let the new SMS Sender ID Registry do its job. Happy texting!
