A sender ID can be a phone number, a company’s name, a short code, or special characters that represent a brand name. It is displayed when a client receives a text. This representation is what the customer uses to identify who you are in bulk SMS marketing.
But what is the big fuss about sender IDs? What should your company implement in SMS marketing campaigns?
Why Implement Sender ID Verification
Sender ID verification makes a great way to keep scammers at bay. It prevents unscrupulous individuals from using your brand name to steal from innocent customers by sending out messages without your consent.
Without sender verification, your business’s ID can be spoofed – this happens when a hacker uses a famous brand or company name to send messages to customers – putting your reputation at stake. Under such circumstances, your name can be used to defraud people. Scammers achieve this through:
- Social hacking–In social hacking, a scammer or a hacker gains access to your company’s restricted information without your permission. Scammers front themselves as specific and popular social media websites linking users to fake login pages in an attempt to extract their personal details. They then go ahead to use the hacked information to access the person’s financial information, among others. They will then attempt to manipulate social behavior outcomes by orchestrating illegal actions.
- SMS malware – Here, texts messages are intercepted by manipulating devices. Usually, the message recipient is not aware of what is happening since links are sent as text messages to mobile phones. These links trigger a download of malware that is then installed on the device giving the hacker free access to a customer’s private information.
- SMS phishing– This is an illegal action that leverages engineering techniques to obtain information from innocent people. The main aim of phishing is to procure personal information such as passwords and usernames, among other details, by posing as a trustworthy brand, person, or name. A scammer will, for instance, masquerade as a bank and send a message to the client with a link to a fake website prompting them to log in with their details.
Far from these types of attacks, using sender ID protects your brand name from being used in spam texts or to send abusive content to customers. Unfortunately, this is the reality facing many small or big companies.
Because the aforementioned types of attacks can also be achieved by hackers effortlessly, it is essential to check and verify your sender ID and Shortcodes across the networks your company is using. Also, it is crucial to utilize two-factor authentication to help users’ details remain secure.
Bear in mind, however, that registering sender IDs is varies from one country to another. The laws are different. Others have lengthy processes conducted through mobile network operators, and then some don’t even permit alpha sender IDs.
Messaging fraud costs businesses around the world approximately 2 billion dollars annually. Since people rely more on SMS, you should stay ahead of these attacks by securing your processes and allowing sender ID verification.
Celcom Africa is a bold participant in this sector and have been ranked the best bulk SMS provider in Kenya, focusing on providing exceptional services to different companies from various sectors. Through Celcom’s secure bulk SMS API gateway, you can protect your customer’s details and brand from fraud or any illegal dealings. Reach out today to learn more!
