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Somos Soundbytes - Fraud Fighters Unite S1E5: Toll-Free Traffic Pumping with Justin Bell at Invoca

Oct 29, 2024

In today’s telecom landscape, fraudsters continuously evolve their techniques to exploit gaps in an increasingly complex ecosystem. A notable example is Toll-Free traffic pumping, wherein fraudsters generate artificial calls to Toll-Free Numbers to earn revenue from call durations. 

In this episode of Somos Soundbytes, host Jamie Zetterstrom, Somos' VP of Product Management sat down with seasoned telecom expert, Justin Bell, Director of Telecom & Support at Invoca. They delved into the mechanics of Toll-Free traffic pumping, discussing its evolution and the financial motivations behind it. Bell explained how fraudsters spoof legitimate numbers and create lengthy calls to siphon off revenue, and highlighted the historical context of various fraudulent activities, from modem and fax tones to dead air and background noises. 

The conversation also covered the industry-wide efforts to combat this fraud, including the formation of the Toll-Free Traffic Pumping Traceback Group (TPTG). Bell shared insights into how advanced call tracking technologies and collaborative initiatives with the FCC and FBI have significantly reduced fraud instances. He emphasized the importance of rapid identification and shutdown of fraudulent activities, showcasing how the TPTG and the broader Industry Traceback Group (ITG) work together to protect the telecom ecosystem. 

Check out the full episode here!