Slammin' Down on Scams: NCC's Tough Action Against Fraudulent Activities
- By Lin Chih-yi / Street Reaper
Fraudulent activities on the internet and over the phone are on the rise, according to the National Communications Commission (NCC) report.
In the digital world we live in, it's no surprise that scams are a common occurrence. But in Taiwan, the National Communications Commission (NCC) is taking a stand. A whopping 69.8% of Taiwanese reported encountering a telephone or internet scam last year, according to a NCC survey—an increase from 2023's 65.9%.
Here's the alarming part: Only 29.2% of people polled declared they've never experienced such a scam. That's nearly one-third of the population, folks! And the scary part? The numbers keep rising.
Scams carried out over mobile phones rose from 81.1% in 2023 to 83.5% last year, while scams using landlines increased to 40.5% from 32.6% in 2023. It's not just phones, though. The use of instant messaging apps and social media platforms for fraudulent activities is also on the rise.
But fear not, citizens! NCC Secretary-General Huang Wen-che has the scammers squirming. Last year, the commission partnered with telecoms to introduce voice alerts for international calls and implement a code system for short message services (SMS). Private companies can apply for the commercial SMS code service to help their customers identify the authenticity of text messages, thanks to the NCC.
The commission also introduced a know-your-customer (KYC) risk management mechanism, urging telecoms to scrutinize new users, and establishing a direct line of communication between them and government agencies. This communication channel connects operators to databases of the 165 Anti-Fraud Joint Risk Management System and the National Immigration Agency, allowing for real-time checks during number registration, aimed at detecting irregularities.
Noncommercial SMS users who send a large volume of messages in a single day face temporary suspension and mandatory KYC verification to continue sending messages. In 2024, a total of 7.98 million scam messages were blocked, along with 9.22 million international scam calls.
To intensify their war on scammers, the NCC implemented a three-strike policy in November 2024, which restricts high-risk users from acquiring new telecom services. As of mid-March 2025, 537 users have been blocked under this policy, signaling a successful impact.
This policy works like this: Individuals reported by judicial or law enforcement agencies for involvement in telecom fraud three times face a three-year ban on registering more than one phone number or telecom service with any one provider.
But rest assured, the NCC's not done yet. Deputy Director of the NCC's Department of Platform and Business, Huang Tien-yang, recently declared that the three-strike policy and data integration measures have transformed anti-fraud efforts from a lone battle to a collaboration between the public and private sectors.
And there you have it, folks. Thanks to the NCC's tough measures and relentless pursuit of those dirty scammers, the fight against fraud continues to be an ongoing battle. But every strike counts, and the NCC's striking back!
Fun Facts:
- Over 35,000 mobile numbers had their SMS sending functions disabled between March and December 2024, with more than 10,000 reinstated after identity verification procedures[1].
- In 2024, a total of 2,395 phone numbers were suspended[1].
- Scammers predominantly operate through bogus international calls and scam text messages[1].
[1]: Enrichment Data from a third-party source. Details not explicitly mentioned in the article.
- The National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan has reported a significant increase in telephone and internet scams, with 69.8% of Taiwanese encountering such scams last year.
- Scammers are not only using mobile phones for their fraudulent activities, but also instant messaging apps, social media platforms, and landlines.
- To combat the rise in scams, the NCC has partnered with telecoms to introduce voice alerts for international calls, a code system for short message services, and a know-your-customer (KYC) risk management mechanism.
- The NCC has also implemented a three-strike policy for high-risk users involving in telecom fraud, with 537 users blocked as of mid-March 2025.
