Insights

Somos Soundbytes - Fraud Fighters Unite S1E4: International Revenue Share Fraud with David West

Oct 15, 2024

In this episode of Somos Soundbytes, host Jamie Zetterstrom sat down with David West, EVP at Equinox Information Systems and veteran in telecom fraud prevention. Together, they dove into the intricate world of International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF). 

David explained that IRSF involves exploiting premium rate numbers hidden within international dial codes. Fraudsters lease these numbers from IPRN providers, pirate traffic from unwitting owners of Private Branch Exchanges, then generate excessive traffic to these numbers to earn a share of the revenue. David recounted how Equinox tackled early fraud cases, such as payphone and calling card fraud, and highlights the evolution of fraud techniques with the advent of VoIP and sophisticated software tools. 

To combat IRSF, David emphasized the importance of robust passwords and continuous network monitoring. He detailed how Equinox’s Protector solution profiles customer behavior to identify anomalies, much like a credit card fraud detection system. By analyzing traffic patterns, call destinations, and cost bands, they can detect and prevent fraudulent activities before significant losses occur. The conversation underscored the collaborative efforts needed between carriers and fraud prevention solutions to protect the telecom ecosystem effectively. 

Check the episode out here!