Cellular One acts to curb phone fraud by mandating use of a security code
Article Abstract:
Cellular One customers in NY will have to dial a four-digit security code before making a phone call to stop the spread of cellular phone fraud. The campaign is part of an effort by industry officials losing monies as a result of an increasingly sophisticated scam. The Fraud Task Force of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association claims most of the previous technological fixes have been ineffective. Cellular phone operators lost $482 million to fraud in 1994, a 32% increase over the previous year. The lost revenue amounted to 3.7% of the industry's $13 billion revenue in 1994. The industry's largest problem is trying to get federal and local prosecutors to understand that money is being lost, not just air time. In NY, Cellular One is mandating new and old customers use security PIN codes, which are free of charge.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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Cellular phone firms ferret out fraud
Article Abstract:
Fraud is costing cellular telephone companies an estimated $200 million a year, and the companies want to find ways to stop it. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association now has a fraud division that coordinates investigations of cases of fraud. Some manufacturers, including AT&T, Motorola Inc and LM Ericsson, are working on new software and networking equipment that are designed to foil thieves. Criminal activity takes various forms: sometimes illegal cellular phones are used; and sometimes fraudulent applications are submitted to obtain services that cannot be billed. Law enforcement officials believe that a coordinated nationwide effort will be required to end such practices.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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McCaw Cellular plans to create national service
Article Abstract:
McCaw Cellular Communications Inc plans a nationwide cellular radio system that will allow customers receive calls regardless of where they are within the system. The previously current technology required that customers dial a set of access codes to receive and send calls when they were not in their local areas. The new nationwide system uses a software program in the equipment being used to automatically determine the location of customers. The plan is to be implemented in three phases. The third and final phase will be completed between 1994 and 1996.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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